Alabama’s two new coordinators have been one of the central storylines of the offseason, and while Nick Saban took the experienced route in hiring Kevin Steele to coach the defense, he went the opposite direction for the offense.

New offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will turn 31 next month and was Notre Dame’s starting quarterback as recently as 2013. Rees replaced Bill O’Brien, a 53-year old now with the New England Patriots who played college football in the early 1990s for Brown University of the Ivy League.

The 22-year age difference has been noticed by at least one player.

“[Rees] is more young, got a little more swag to him,” wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks said Wednesday, before Alabama’s seventh practice of the spring. “Everything is — you can more relate.”

Rees spent the past three seasons as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator after three seasons as solely its quarterbacks coach. But do not expect Alabama to run Notre Dame’s offense; Saban’s coordinators use the same playbook instead of importing their own.

“I wouldn’t say too much is new [about the offense],” Brooks said. “But it’s a lot different.”

Rees’ hire came after Saban spoke to several candidates including Washington’s Ryan Grubb, 47, and Akron’s Joe Moorhead, 49. Saban later said the age of his new coordinator was not a critical factor.

“I think the most important thing is not young, not old — good; effective; good teacher; good quarterback coach; can develop quarterbacks; can help them sort of learn and grow at the position,” he said March 20. “I think that was one of the critical factors in the search for a new coordinator was the guy would be a really good quarterback coach and has a history of being able to develop quarterbacks. I think we did that.”

Saban explained last week some of the changes in approach he expects from the offense, which was designed the past two seasons around Bryce Young’s ability as a passer.

“I think when we have better balance, I think it’ll take a little pressure off the quarterback,” he said. “I think the offensive line has done a good job so far. I like where we’re headed and what we’re doing. I think the scheme that we have to run the ball is well tied-together. Hopefully between that and play-action passes we can make a few more explosive plays and not just rely on dropping back all the time. I think that would be very helpful.”

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.