As Cleveland Browns assistant coach Mike Vrabel gears up for the upcoming coaching cycle, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has made headlines by accepting the head coaching position at the University of North Carolina. This surprising move means Belichick is stepping away from the NFL, potentially sidelining his pursuit of Don Shula’s all-time wins record for at least the next three years.
In an unexpected twist, Belichick’s decision inadvertently benefited the Browns. Had he chosen to pursue another NFL job, UNC was reportedly eyeing Browns passing game specialist and tight ends coach Tommy Rees as a replacement.
Rees, a former Notre Dame and Washington Commanders quarterback, has made a name for himself in coaching. After starting as an offensive assistant with the LA Chargers in 2016, he spent six successful years at Notre Dame, three of which he served as offensive coordinator. Last season, he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama, leading the Crimson Tide to an impressive average of 34 points per game.
With his rising stock in the coaching ranks, Rees was a hot commodity after the 2023 season. If not for Belichick’s move to UNC, he could have faced a significant opportunity to leave the Browns for the Tar Heels.
While it would be ideal for Rees to remain in Cleveland and develop under head coach Kevin Stefanski, the reality is that he could attract interest from other NFL teams or college programs if the right opportunity arises. Belichick may have temporarily saved the Browns from losing Rees to UNC, but the risk remains that he could be a flight risk for other positions in the near future.
