In Reply to: Re: Still, I think we could've done better than DeShaun but... posted by TJJ on August 27, 2025 at 16:07:32
the rumors.
"According to Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle, UCLA's interest in Fleck was "real". However, sources revealed that the Bruins' financial limitations and the program's overall state made it a less attractive option."
I don't know if we ever offered Rees or White. I certainly think both would have been an upgrade over DF, DF had never even been a coordinator.
I liked Rees for the UCLA job, he was familiar with UCLA from his father Bill, he'd been a coordinator at Alabama and Saban was very high on Rees. I don't know if we passed on Rees to go with DF or if Rees passed on UCLA. But...when Rees interviewed with UCLA, Feb of 2024, NIL was taking off. Maybe this happened: after an initial meeting, Rees may have gone back to Jarmond and said I need this much in NIL to compete. And Jarmond may have said, we don't have that which I believe was true in Feb 2024. If the above is accurate, Rees's Dad may have advised Tommy to pass on the job (if he'd been offered), that UCLA is currently not the "right" situation. Bill Rees understands the CFB landscape, he's currently the Director of Player Personnel at Wake Forest. Just speculating, have no facts to back up what may have happened w Tommy Rees.