During their time in South Bend, Ind., Clark Lea often had an energetic, cerebral coordinator in his office. His name was Tommy Rees, Alabama’s newest coach.

The former Notre Dame staffers were on Brian Kelly’s staff together for four years in various roles. As Lea noted during SEC Media Days on Tuesday, Rees’ football acumen was apparent from the start.

“Tommy’s a talented coach, he’s a talented person. He’s smart. I think he’s a great fit there with Coach Saban and they’re gonna do a great job together. He’s young and he maintains connection with the players which I think is so important. He’s fiery, he’s intense. But the thing that he and I connected on most was just being smart in design. We spent a lot of time together, particularly when he was the quarterback’s coach, I’d have him in my office all the time. I’d be asking him questions and trying to get a better understanding of what the quarterback’s looking like and what impacts play at that position. He loves the chess match. … The guy knows how to coach and so I’m excited for him. I’m looking for him to have great success.”

Rees, a former starting quarterback for the Fighting Irish, became Notre Dame’s quarterbacks coach in 2017. That same year, Lea came over from Vanderbilt to coach ND’s linebackers. Lea noted Rees’ good musical taste and his aggressiveness on the basketball court.

“I was waiting for the Tommy Rees question,” Lea joked. “Tommy’s got great musical taste. That’s first. And he’s a really competitive noon hoops player which everyone needs to be aware of that before you step on the court with him at least.”

Rees has been a topic of conversation in the Nashville Grand Hyatt as reporters look for details about the Tide’s play-caller. Kelly, now LSU’s head coach, also heaped praise on Rees and wished him luck for each week aside from when the Tigers travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].