Clark Lea - Defensive Coordinator

[Irish YJ]

Slow news day IrishYJ ?

Tis the off season.

And I can definitely see Tosh being gone.

And I could easily see someone coming after Clark (surprised it didn't happen already).

And two mentions from guys that don't BS a lot was enough to get my attention.

 

[NDRock]

Tis the off season.

And I can definitely see Tosh being gone.

And I could easily see someone coming after Clark (surprised it didn't happen already).

And two mentions from guys that don't BS a lot was enough to get my attention.

I have a feeling that this could be a very crazy/hectic offseason.

 

[IrishLax]

Clark Lea isn't leaving ND on his first year as a DC.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Lea isn't leaving, especially because he wouldn't be the standalone DC at Bama. For one, Tosh wasn't while he was there. Shared responsibilities with Pete Golding. In addition, you know Nick Saban is the head of those meetings and has his head firmly entrenched in the defense.

Lea has about as full autonomy on the defensive side as you can get without being named Brent Venables.

 

[T-Boone]

Saban is losing it.

 

[Irish YJ]

I have a feeling that this could be a very crazy/hectic offseason.

Once the NSD period (2/6-4/1, but over for most 2/6) is over along with the NFL playoffs (2/3), I think we'll see (not talking specifically ND) more shoes drop out there. March is really the time to start feeling comfy about what you remaining coaching wise lol.

Clark Lea isn't leaving ND on his first year as a DC.

I don't see it either, but that doesn't mean he doesn't get a knock at the door. And Elko left only after one year at ND. Wasn't his first year as DC, but it was the only year at ND.

Lea isn't leaving, especially because he wouldn't be the standalone DC at Bama. For one, Tosh wasn't while he was there. Shared responsibilities with Pete Golding. In addition, you know Nick Saban is the head of those meetings and has his head firmly entrenched in the defense.

Lea has about as full autonomy on the defensive side as you can get without being named Brent Venables.

IMO Golding is one of those Cs with a title that is inflated. He's got one year in D1. Tosh has 10. Not saying Golding isn't a good coach, or won't be a great one, but his D1 experience is lacking. I don't see Saban rolling with Golding as the shot calling DC.

 

[Irish YJ]

Lea isn't leaving, especially because he wouldn't be the standalone DC at Bama. For one, Tosh wasn't while he was there. Shared responsibilities with Pete Golding. In addition, you know Nick Saban is the head of those meetings and has his head firmly entrenched in the defense.

Lea has about as full autonomy on the defensive side as you can get without being named Brent Venables.

side point... so you're saying Saban should replace himself since his D sucked so bad this year?

 

[Irish#1]

I would never hire a DC or OC with just one years experience. My preference is for them to have about three years or more to see if they are consistent or just the benefactor of a good recruiting class.

 

[GowerND11]

I would never hire a DC or OC with just one years experience. My preference is for them to have about three years or more to see if they are consistent or just the benefactor of a good recruiting class.

But I would definitely hire a guy with 0 years, look at Lea!

 

[StPaul_Irish]

But I would definitely hire a guy with 0 years, look at Lea!

Didn't Barry Alvarez have ZERO DC experience when he was promoted by Lou in 88? That worked out ok I think.

 

[Irish#1]

But I would definitely hire a guy with 0 years, look at Lea!

Didn't Barry Alvarez have ZERO DC experience when he was promoted by Lou in 88? That worked out ok I think.

I was referring to someone outside of the existing staff. They were already on staff and something of a known quantity when it came to personality, philosophy, fit, etc.

 

[GowerND11]

I was referring to someone outside of the existing staff. They were already on staff and something of a known quantity when it came to personality, philosophy, fit, etc.

I know, just busting balls! haha

 

[Irish#1]

I know, just busting balls! haha

I get enough of that from the wife.

 

[Irish YJ]

Slow news day IrishYJ ?

welp, both guys were right (Tosh leaving) before it was reported.
and one was spot on (NFL). credit to 3T who is taking a mini-break from IE.
maybe not a slow news week after all....

interested to see if Clark gets a call. hope not.

 

[NDdomer2]

welp, both guys were right (Tosh leaving) before it was reported.
and one was spot on (NFL). credit to 3T who is taking a mini-break from IE.
maybe not a slow news week after all....

interested to see if Clark gets a call. hope not.

ESPN already stated they are promoting internally.

 

[Irish YJ]

ESPN already stated they are promoting internally.

i've seen several things. the only thing i've read from ESPN was

Pete Golding, Alabama's co-defensive coordinator, is likely to be elevated to the primary coordinator and playcalling role, according to sources. Golding was involved in playcalling in 2018, his first season the staff.

2018 was Golding's first year in D1. not sure if Satan roles with just him as they do a lot of "co" stuff.

 

[NDdomer2]

Yeah so Lea would leave to be co-dc with no play calling? Let me know when there's real chatter re: Lea and bama

 

[Luckylucci]

As soon as I type this it’ll blow up in my face. But something that has stuck with me through the year is.

Lea was on the field with a couple key recruits before kickoff against UM. He told them they were going to win a championship and the importance of doing at ND. And I see a very sincere and relationship oriented guy saying that. I think he’s completely bought in to coaching here and I think they’ll eventually get to the money that is deserved. He’s going to continue to have a talented roster. Plus some his guys, that he personally recruited, will be coming through. Don’t see it.

 

[Irish YJ]

Yeah so Lea would leave to be co-dc with no play calling? Let me know when there's real chatter re: Lea and bama

not saying he'd leave at all. i sure wouldn't.
just saying wouldn't be surprised if he got the call.

and being co-DC hasn't been a bad gig at Bama. Tosh goes to the NFL after 2 years, Pruitt to HC at UT after 2 years. i think Satan might have decided to do the "co" thing here on out given the revolving door he deals with. Pretty sure Kirby Smart spent some time as Co...

 

[Irish YJ]

As soon as I type this it’ll blow up in my face. But something that has stuck with me through the year is.

Lea was on the field with a couple key recruits before kickoff against UM. He told them they were going to win a championship and the importance of doing at ND. And I see a very sincere and relationship oriented guy saying that. I think he’s completely bought in to coaching here and I think they’ll eventually get to the money that is deserved. He’s going to continue to have a talented roster. Plus some his guys, that he personally recruited, will be coming through. Don’t see it.

That's how I see him too. Hope you are right.
I thought more of Elko though before he took off.

 

[NDMIA]

As soon as I type this it’ll blow up in my face. But something that has stuck with me through the year is.

Lea was on the field with a couple key recruits before kickoff against UM. He told them they were going to win a championship and the importance of doing at ND. And I see a very sincere and relationship oriented guy saying that. I think he’s completely bought in to coaching here and I think they’ll eventually get to the money that is deserved. He’s going to continue to have a talented roster. Plus some his guys, that he personally recruited, will be coming through. Don’t see it.

I wish some coordinators could have a Kirby Smart level of patience and spend 9 seasons at a place like he did. I know it’s tough because of the constant scrutiny but these guys are extremely well paid and if they are hard workers, good recruiters, and good developers of talent then better and better jobs will keep coming with time. If Clark Lea can get a MAC head coaching job now, in a few years it could be a low-mid Power 5 job and then eventually if he builds a powerhouse defense loke Bama’s then he could find himself in a big time power 5 job. All that while he’ll be making probably over $1M a year.

 

[NDdomer2]

not saying he'd leave at all. i sure wouldn't.
just saying wouldn't be surprised if he got the call.

and being co-DC hasn't been a bad gig at Bama. Tosh goes to the NFL after 2 years, Pruitt to HC at UT after 2 years. i think Satan might have decided to do the "co" thing here on out given the revolving door he deals with. Pretty sure Kirby Smart spent some time as Co...

Maybe Saban tries something new to put an end to the trend? Give a young guy with little experience full DC title and he might stick around for a bit.

 

[Irish#1]

As soon as I type this it’ll blow up in my face. But something that has stuck with me through the year is.

Lea was on the field with a couple key recruits before kickoff against UM. He told them they were going to win a championship and the importance of doing at ND. And I see a very sincere and relationship oriented guy saying that. I think he’s completely bought in to coaching here and I think they’ll eventually get to the money that is deserved. He’s going to continue to have a talented roster. Plus some his guys, that he personally recruited, will be coming through. Don’t see it.

Playing devil's advocate.......It's his first game in his new position. Things are perfect and he's excited to have the DC position at a great school. No one is courting him because he's just getting his feet wet. The newness wears off and you're in your routine grinding away. You've put one of the better D's in CFB on the field and because it's ND, people notice. Calls and inquiries start coming in. $200k - $300k or more additional salary may start looking pretty enticing.

Dynamics are constantly changing. You never know what's going to happen. Having said that, I hope he sticks around for a long time.

 

[IrishLax]

I can't believe we're actually talking about this. Seriously does anyone have a single legitimate source on any side that points to Lea even being interested in another job?

Everything I've heard about Lea was that he was extremely appreciative of getting his first DC opportunity, loves ND and has loved ND since he was a kid, is very happy in his current role and optimistic about the roster, and has a high opinion of his assistant coaches.

Weirder things have happened, but it would be the most surprising ND coaching news of the Kelly era to see him leave this offseason.

 

[stlnd01]

Yeah. The prospect of Clark Lea going to Alabama to be a co-coordinator seems very different than the prospect of Chip Long going to Alabama to be a co-coordinator.
But, who knows. It's weird business.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Playing devil's advocate.......It's his first game in his new position. Things are perfect and he's excited to have the DC position at a great school. No one is courting him because he's just getting his feet wet. The newness wears off and you're in your routine grinding away. You've put one of the better D's in CFB on the field and because it's ND, people notice. Calls and inquiries start coming in. $200k - $300k or more additional salary may start looking pretty enticing.

Dynamics are constantly changing. You never know what's going to happen. Having said that, I hope he sticks around for a long time.

If they want to find someone who will drop everything and head to Alabama for 10 or 20% raise there's always Elko.

 

[ndfi78]

IMO Golding is one of those Cs with a title that is inflated. He's got one year in D1. Tosh has 10. Not saying Golding isn't a good coach, or won't be a great one, but his D1 experience is lacking. I don't see Saban rolling with Golding as the shot calling DC.

Aaron Suttles said by the end of the year Golding was the one calling the plays. This was Lupoi's first year as DC and it was probably to much.

https://theathletic.com/772229/2019...e-coordinator-cleveland-browns-staff-changes/

Tosh goes to the NFL after 2 years

Lupoi is going to be the DLine coach, not sure if that is a promotion. Not sure he had a choice in the matter, Bishop2b5 or T Town Tommy could probably lend more light on that matter.

I can't believe we're actually talking about this. Seriously does anyone have a single legitimate source on any side that points to Lea even being interested in another job?

Everything I've heard about Lea was that he was extremely appreciative of getting his first DC opportunity, loves ND and has loved ND since he was a kid, is very happy in his current role and optimistic about the roster, and has a high opinion of his assistant coaches.

Weirder things have happened, but it would be the most surprising ND coaching news of the Kelly era to see him leave this offseason.

100%, I would be SHOCKED if Lea left.

 

[phork]

As soon as I type this it’ll blow up in my face. But something that has stuck with me through the year is.

Lea was on the field with a couple key recruits before kickoff against UM. He told them they were going to win a championship and the importance of doing at ND. And I see a very sincere and relationship oriented guy saying that. I think he’s completely bought in to coaching here and I think they’ll eventually get to the money that is deserved. He’s going to continue to have a talented roster. Plus some his guys, that he personally recruited, will be coming through. Don’t see it.

Coaches say all kinds of things and then the next day POOF. I don't put stock into anything these guys say knowing they could walk tomorrow

 

[BeauBenken]

i've seen several things. the only thing i've read from ESPN was



2018 was Golding's first year in D1. not sure if Satan roles with just him as they do a lot of "co" stuff.

Golding served as DC at UTSA which is D1.

 

[Irish YJ]

Golding served as DC at UTSA which is D1.

Good catch. Mistook them for another acronym. Go Roadrunners...

Aaron Suttles said by the end of the year Golding was the one calling the plays. This was Lupoi's first year as DC and it was probably to much.

https://theathletic.com/772229/2019...e-coordinator-cleveland-browns-staff-changes/

Lupoi is going to be the DLine coach, not sure if that is a promotion. Not sure he had a choice in the matter, Bishop2b5 or T Town Tommy could probably lend more light on that matter.

100%, I would be SHOCKED if Lea left.

I would be a little surprised, not shocked, if Lea left.

Tosh was Co-DC the year before as well.

DL NFL vs Co-DC is debatable (from a career perspective), but I'd be surprised if Tosh is making more than he was at Bama. He was making 950k in T Town. Golding was making 650k. That's more than most position coaches make. I'd guess his Browns contract is about .5M.

So.... let's say Lea is making 300ish... if offered 950ish...

Would love to know the back story. I really doubt Tosh was pushed out, just because his recruiting prowess, but who knows.