In the same year, on the invitation of William Allen, he went to Rheims, and was appointed to the important post of superintendent of the studies of the college which had been removed to that city from Douay.
Allen, on being created a cardinal, continued for a time to govern the seminary, but during his absence in Rome dissensions arose, and it became necessary for him to appoint a resident superior.
Nicholas Fitzherbert, who knew him personally, says that 'he was an excellent man, of great learning and piety, who had lived some years at Rome, and for a long time at Rheims under Allen's government, but he was naturally a little too severe and hot-tempered.
This impetuosity, till then latent, showed itself more freely when he was raised to command, ... and he thereby gave offence to many of the scholars, and roused such commotions that Allen was hardly able by many letters, reproofs, and punishments, to restore peace'.
In consequence of political troubles it was resolved to return to Douay, where the college still retained possession of the house and garden in which the work had originally begun.