Before Penn State hired Iowa State's Matt Campbell as its next head football coach, the university spoke to an up-and-coming NFL assistant about returning to the college ranks.
Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees interviewed virtually with Nittany Lions decision-makers late last week as the program was finalizing its search, sources say.
Rees became the Browns offensive coordinator this past offseason, replacing Ken Dorsey after the former Cleveland OC was fired. Head coach Kevin Stefanski turned play-calling over to Rees last month.
A former Notre Dame quarterback, Rees has had three coaching stints in college, including with the Fighting Irish from 2017-2022 as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator and one year in the same roles with Alabama in 2023 under Nick Saban. Stefanski then brought him to Cleveland as the pass game specialist and tight ends coach in 2024.
Rees, 33, was among NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero's candidates to watch in future years on his annual list of NFL head-coaching candidates. Penn State's interest in him shows he's already on the radar for high-profile college head-coaching jobs.
For now, Rees continues in his role with the Browns and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who takes the same field on Sunday against Titans rookie and No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward in a matchup of the two highest-profile quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
