Clark Lea

Clark Lea embarked on his journey as the head football coach at Vanderbilt University in 2021, following a successful tenure as the defensive coordinator at the University of Notre Dame from 2018 to 2020. Prior to his current role, Lea's strategic and defensive acumen was instrumental in shaping the defensive line of Notre Dame, contributing to the team's robust performance during his service.

Lea's leadership skills were notably exemplified in 2024, when he navigated Vanderbilt to a significant triumph over No. 1 Alabama. This victory not only marked the Commodores' initial win against an AP top 5 team but also underscored Lea's ability to guide his team through high-stakes situations. This characteristic victory was closely followed by another substantial accomplishment under Lea's coaching, as Vanderbilt secured its first postseason win in 11 years by defeating Georgia Tech 35-27 in the Birmingham Bowl in the same year.

In recognition of his contribution to the Vanderbilt Commodores football team, Lea received a contract extension from Vanderbilt in July 2023. This was further validated in 2024 when he was named the SEC Coach of the Year, an accolade that attests to his coaching prowess, strategic vision, and ability to inspire his team towards achieving their goals.