Tommy Rees made a very positive impression during his interview through “confidence and self-assuredness” ESPN’s Chris Low reported about the new Alabama offensive coordinator’s transition.

Rees reportedly landed the job after a wide array of coaches during his search for an offensive coordinator. Among them: Washington’s Ryan Grubb, former Florida coach Dan Mullen, former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley and former Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens.

Low spoke with a veteran head coach who said the Alabama coordinator hires won’t be a complete overhaul because of the way Saban has adjusted and adapted “a lot more than he’s been given credit for.”

“He’s changed as the game has changed, but with the direction you’re seeing him go with his 2 coordinator hires, don’t be surprised if it looks a little bit more like what Alabama looked like 6, 7, 8 years ago, right in that time frame,” the coach told Low. “At least, I’d say that’s the plan — running the football on offense, turning you over on defense and just generally punching you in the mouth.”

An SEC offensive coordinator also weighed in on the hire.

“I would say above everything else that Rees’ commitment to running the football and how he devised ways to get his best player the ball, whether it was a running back like Kyren Williams or tight end like Michael Mayer, had to be a big factor in Saban’s decision,” the coordinator told ESPN.

A former coach then added, “It was the right move for Rees and one that could pay big dividends for him and Saban. Either way, it’s going to be fun to see how it all plays out.”