Clark Lea
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.
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Vanderbilt |
| Conference | SEC |
| Record | 0–0 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | November 16, 1982 Nashville, Tennessee |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 2002–2004 | Vanderbilt |
| Baseball | |
| 2001 | Birmingham–Southern |
| 2002 | Belmont |
| Position(s) | Fullback (football) |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 2006 | UCLA (GA) |
| 2007 | South Dakota State (LB) |
| 2008 | South Dakota State (RC/LB) |
| 2009 | UCLA (GA) |
| 2010–2011 | UCLA (LB) |
| 2012 | Bowling Green (LB) |
| 2013–2015 | Syracuse (LB) |
| 2016 | Wake Forest (LB) |
| 2017 | Notre Dame (LB) |
| 2018–2020 | Notre Dame (DC) |
| 2020–present | Vanderbilt |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 0–0 |
Playing career
Lea started his college career playing baseball. Lea helped lead Birmingham Southern to a 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 owling 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 WWake 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
- "Ex Vanderbilt player named Notre Dame Linebacker coach". Tennessean.
- "Lea to join ND staff", CBS Sports
- Notre Dame officially hires Clark Lea as linebackers coach, NBC Sports
- Notre Dame hires Clark Lea as Defensive Coordinator, SB Nation
- "Vanderbilt Taps Lea to Lead Commodores". Vanderbilt University.