SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A suspension might have cost quarterback Tommy Rees his starting job -- at least for Notre Dame's Sept. 1 opener -- but he hasn't been idle through the first stages of practice.
The junior is serving as a sideline coach and mentor to quarterbacks Everett Golson and Andrew Hendrix, both contending for the start against Navy in Dublin.
He also is delivering positive messages to local youth, part of the sentence he received following a spring arrest.
"I'm trying to relay a message on making good decisions and not putting things in jeopardy," Rees said after practice Saturday. "Especially (to) people going into high school and faced with different situations."
The comments were Rees' first since he and linebacker Carlo Calabrese were arrested May 3 following an off-campus party.
Both were suspended for the Navy game by coach Brian Kelly but will be eligible for the Sept. 8 home opener against Purdue.
"It's tough not being out there (practicing)," Rees said. "But I accept the punishment."
Golson and Hendrix have taken most of the snaps through the first six days of practice, which is fine with Rees.
"Right now helping those two guys get ready for the first week is what my responsibility is," he said. "And when I get back out there in the mix of things, I've got to be sharp and on top of my game and let the coaches make the decision from there.
"I'm confident I can go out there and play at a high level ... I've just got to be ready when my number's called."
Rees started 16 games the last two seasons, including 12 of 13 in 2011. Kelly said Rees will "get enough reps to stay sharp" while serving his suspension.
Originally charged with four misdemeanors, Rees pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and misdemeanor intimidation. He was sentenced to probation and community service and required to apologize to police. He also has issued a public apology.
Calabrese was arrested on a misdemeanor count of intimidation. His case has not been resolved.
"Coach Kelly made the decision of me not playing in the first game and I respect that," Calabrese said. "I put myself in a bad situation and he had to do what he had to do. Right now, I'm just grinding through camp and getting better every day. I'm not letting that affect anything else in my game."
The junior is serving as a sideline coach and mentor to quarterbacks Everett Golson and Andrew Hendrix, both contending for the start against Navy in Dublin.
He also is delivering positive messages to local youth, part of the sentence he received following a spring arrest.
"I'm trying to relay a message on making good decisions and not putting things in jeopardy," Rees said after practice Saturday. "Especially (to) people going into high school and faced with different situations."
The comments were Rees' first since he and linebacker Carlo Calabrese were arrested May 3 following an off-campus party.
Both were suspended for the Navy game by coach Brian Kelly but will be eligible for the Sept. 8 home opener against Purdue.
"It's tough not being out there (practicing)," Rees said. "But I accept the punishment."
Golson and Hendrix have taken most of the snaps through the first six days of practice, which is fine with Rees.
"Right now helping those two guys get ready for the first week is what my responsibility is," he said. "And when I get back out there in the mix of things, I've got to be sharp and on top of my game and let the coaches make the decision from there.
"I'm confident I can go out there and play at a high level ... I've just got to be ready when my number's called."
Rees started 16 games the last two seasons, including 12 of 13 in 2011. Kelly said Rees will "get enough reps to stay sharp" while serving his suspension.
Originally charged with four misdemeanors, Rees pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and misdemeanor intimidation. He was sentenced to probation and community service and required to apologize to police. He also has issued a public apology.
Calabrese was arrested on a misdemeanor count of intimidation. His case has not been resolved.
"Coach Kelly made the decision of me not playing in the first game and I respect that," Calabrese said. "I put myself in a bad situation and he had to do what he had to do. Right now, I'm just grinding through camp and getting better every day. I'm not letting that affect anything else in my game."
