LanceManion nailed it below.

Rees was appointed / propped up by Brian Kelly.

Kelly wanted a "yes man" who wouldn't dare question him.

While some may point to the offensive success in 2019-2021, that wasn't anything on Rees' part. Ian Book basically coached himself, being one of the smartest QB's we ever had, and Jack Coan was a polished, 5th year senior with a proven track record.

You could see the ineptitude during the Fiesta Bowl, where Rees made zero halftime adjustments, and calling pass play after pass play, even though Oklahoma State only kept 5 or 6 in the box.

Even without Kyren Williams, any of our RB's would easily have had a field day in the 2H.

You could really see the ineptitude in 2022, when he no longer had Brian Kelly to guide him. He was basically trying to be Brian Kelly, but didn't have his decades of experience.

Everyone here must at least somewhat remember the time when we had 4th and inches, after we had been blowing back Stanford's front seven during one particular drive, knocking back the defenders mutliple yards during that run-heavy drive.

All we needed was one damned inch, and even the diminutive Drew Pyne would easily have gotten it with a simple QB sneak.

Instead, Rees calls a delayed handoff, sending Logan Diggs to the right, where there were no blockers, and we got stuffed for a most embarrassing loss, turning the ball over on downs.

You could actually see massive relief on the Stanford defenders' faces, since they were getting battered, bruised, and were gassed during that drive.

Rees' inept playcalling gift wrapped them the game.