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Clark Lea

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Clark Lea
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamVanderbilt
ConferenceSEC
Record0–0
Biographical details
Born (1982-11-16) November 16, 1982 (age 42)
Nashville, Tennessee
Playing career
2002–2004Vanderbilt
Position(s)Fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2006UCLA (GA)
2007South Dakota State (LB)
2008South Dakota State (RC/LB)
2009UCLA (GA)
2010–2011UCLA (LB)
2012Bowling Green (LB)
2013–2015Syracuse (LB)
2016Wake Forest (LB)
2017Notre Dame (LB)
2018–2020Notre Dame (DC)
2021–presentVanderbilt
Head coaching record
Overall0–0

Clark Lea (born November 16, 1982) is an American football coach who is currently the head football coach at Vanderbilt University. He previously served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Notre Dame from 2018 to 2020. Lea began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2006 and went on to serve as an assistant coach at South Dakota State University, Bowling Green University, Syracuse University, and Wake Forest University.

Playing career

Lea started his college career playing baseball. Lea helped lead Birmingham Southern to an NAIA championship his freshmen year. Lea then transferred to Belmont and played one year of baseball. Lea finished his college career at Vanderbilt, playing fullback his last two years.[1]

Coaching career

UCLA

In 2006, Lea began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at UCLA as a graduate assistant under head coach Karl Dorrell.

South Dakota State

In 2007, Lea joined South Dakota State University as their linebackers coach under head coach John Stiegelmeier. In 2008, Lea was given an additional role as recruiting coordinator.

UCLA (second stint)

In 2009, Lea returned to UCLA as a graduate assistant under head coach Rick Neuheisel. In 2010, Lea was promoted to linebackers coach. Following Neuheisel's firing on November 28, 2011, Lea was not retained by UCLA for the 2012 season.

Bowling Green

In 2012, Lea was hired as the linebackers coach at Bowling Green University under defensive coordinator Mike Elko and head coach Dave Clawson.

Syracuse

In 2013, Lea joined Syracuse University as their linebackers coach under head coach Scott Shafer.

Wake Forest

In 2016, Lea was hired as the linebackers coach at Wake Forest University, reuniting with defensive coordinator, Mike Elko, and head coach, Dave Clawson.

Notre Dame

In 2017, Lea followed defensive coordinator Mike Elko to the University of Notre Dame to serve as their linebackers coach under head coach Brian Kelly.[2][3] In January 2018, Lea was promoted to defensive coordinator, replacing Mike Elko, who departed to serve in the same role at Texas A&M.[4]

Vanderbilt

On December 14, 2020, Lea was named the 29th head football coach at Vanderbilt University, replacing Derek Mason.[5]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Vanderbilt Commodores (Southeastern Conference) (2021–present)
2021 Vanderbilt 0–0 0–0
Vanderbilt: 0–0 0–0
Total: 0–0

References

  1. ^ "Ex Vanderbilt player named Notre Dame Linebacker coach". Tennessean.
  2. ^ "Lea to join ND staff", CBS Sports
  3. ^ Notre Dame officially hires Clark Lea as linebackers coach, NBC Sports
  4. ^ Notre Dame hires Clark Lea as Defensive Coordinator, SB Nation
  5. ^ "Vanderbilt Taps Lea to Lead Commodores". Vanderbilt University.
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