The Alabama Crimson Tide found themselves in a 13-0 hole at the end of the first quarter against SEC rival Tennessee and fans have one person in their crosshairs: Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
Alabama’s offense struggled mightily against Tennessee over the first 20-plus minutes of the game. The playcalling was particularly head-scratching as the Crimson Tide seemed to give up on things that were working after every big play.
Meanwhile, Tennessee were happy to take advantage of Alabama’s struggles, scoring on their opening drive and turning a first-quarter fumble from quarterback Jalen Milroe into a field goal.
As a result, fans are giving Rees – who is in his first year with the team – a big piece of their mind. Just about everyone is criticizing the playcalling but some are going so far as to suggest that he’s deliberately sabotaging the team at the behest of his former boss Brian Kelly, the head coach at LSU:
Tommy Rees makes Bill O’Brien look like Steve Sarkisian I’m sick to my stomach
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) October 21, 2023
“Hmmm, Jalen really seems to be having a hard time against this defense. What if we spin em around like a dizzy bat competition then throw a screen pass?”
– Tommy Rees, probably
— Chris Marler (@VernFunquist) October 21, 2023
has anyone started the “Tommy Rees is a sleeper agent working on behalf of Brian Kelly” theory yet
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) October 21, 2023
Does Tommy Rees know the goal of an offense is to score points?
— Esther Scott Workman (@estherscott) October 21, 2023
Alabama were able to finally get on the board with a touchdown eight minutes into the second quarter. Maybe the team will make some halftime adjustments and take control of this game soon.
But if they don’t and go on to lose this game, heads will likely roll and Rees’ will be the first.