Paul Finebaum ultimately approved of the Alabama hire of Tommy Rees, the former Notre Dame offensive coordinator.

The ESPN commentator made his regular Monday appearance on “McElroy and Cubelic In the morning” on WJOX in Birmingham, Alabama, and shared his thoughts on the major offseason move.

“This is a paradigm shift,” Finebaum said. “Nick Saban wasn’t looking for the next Lane Kiffin or Steve Sarkisian or Brian Daboll. He was looking for someone that fits his philosophy in relation to the talent he has. So from that standpoint, I like it.”

Finebaum admitted he doesn’t know Rees as much as others, such as Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic.

“I think there’s kind of a mixed feeling at Notre Dame today,” Finebaum said. “They’re happy to be starting over again. But that doesn’t mean Tommy Rees was bad.”

Finebaum also pointed out that Brian Kelly wanted Rees to go with him to LSU from Notre Dame.

“He fits in fine,” Finebaum said. “He’s not the dynamic hire that others would’ve been. But that’s not really Nick Saban’s concern. You already have one dynamic hire at Alabama, and that’s the head coach.”