Tommy Rees ’14 took his last snap under center for Notre Dame on Dec. 28, 2013, when the Fighting Irish defeated Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium. On Sept. 2, just over 44 months later, Rees will enter Notre Dame Stadium as the quarterbacks coach when the Irish kickoff the 2017 season against Temple. 

His rapid ascent to this position, following one-year coaching stints with Northwestern and the San Diego Chargers, was fueled by a lifelong obsession with football and a desire to give back to his alma mater. Watch Rees reflect on his journey home: