Clark Lea has been tabbed as the man who will lead a renaissance at Vanderbilt.
Despite Sarah Fuller’s historic moment in the spotlight, there wasn’t much to smile about on the football field, as an 0-9 season ended up costing Derek Mason his job. The Commodores needed someone who could instill discipline and knows what it takes to win at this university, and it appears as if they’ve found their man in Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea.
Yahoo’s Pete Thamel is reporting that Lea has been identified as Mason’s successor at Vanderbilt, as the Irish assistant is expected to agree on a deal to become head coach of the Commodores in the coming days.
Clark Lea, a former Vanderbilt fullback, will try to restore his alma mater to glory
Lea has a connection to the university, as he was born and raised in Nashville and played at Vanderbilt from 2002 to 2004 as a fullback. He got his start in the coaching ranks after the end of his playing days. After bouncing around college football as a linebackers coach, Lea settled in South Bend, becoming defensive coordinator in 2018.
The difference between Lea and former Irish DCs like Brian VanGorder and Greg Hudson has been staggering, as Lea’s defenses have both legitimized the Irish as championship contenders while sending a handful of players to the NFL. Time will tell if his scheme will work against the recruiting juggernauts in the SEC.
Vanderbilt is one of the toughest jobs in the country, as they have to play some of the best teams in college football routinely during conference play without the same geographic and historical advantages on the recruiting trail. However, the likes of James Franklin prove it’s possible to win there, and a tough-minded coach like Lea might be able to replicate that success.
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