Clark Lea - Defensive Coordinator

[BeauBenken]

Everybody knows Joe Brady is winning this thing though.

 

[stlnd01]

Everybody knows Joe Brady is winning this thing though.

As he should.

 

[drayer54]

Keep him off the list. I want him under wraps as long as possible.

Joe Brady will win because he deserves it. Let's all continue to talk about how amazing Joe Brady is.

 

[phork]

45-14.

 

[Cali_domer]

Lea is a candidate for the BC job. FYI paywall
https://theathletic.com/1423864/201...tes-to-be-the-next-boston-college-head-coach/

 

[KPENN]

....

 

[KPENN]

Lea is a candidate for the BC job. FYI paywall
https://theathletic.com/1423864/201...tes-to-be-the-next-boston-college-head-coach/

That’s a bit misleading. Feldman mentions Lea as a guy who could be a fit/target.

 

[Irish YJ]

It's only time, but doubt it's this year.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Realistically, could Lea set his sights higher than BC after this year? Yeah hes had great defenses and recruits + develops well, but he only has 2 years of coordinator experience.

I'm also not sure what the ceiling for BC would be, so I'm unsure whether taking that job is actually a great career move. Or am I just wrong?

Sent from my SM-J337U using Tapatalk

 

[stlnd01]

That’s a bit misleading. Feldman mentions Lea as a guy who could be a fit/target.

The last one of like eight, a week ago, and there's been no particular smoke in Lea's direction since. (His name hasn't come up in a few stories here in Boston on the BC job). Ohio State's DC though, maybe.

 

[stlnd01]

Realistically, could Lea set his sights higher than BC after this year? Yeah hes had great defenses and recruits + develops well, but he only has 2 years of coordinator experience.

I'm also not sure what the ceiling for BC would be, so I'm unsure whether taking that job is actually a great career move. Or am I just wrong?

Sent from my SM-J337U using Tapatalk

BC's a solid mid-level P5 job for a guy who's willing to work within certain parameters when it comes to recruiting, culture and (subpar) facilities. It's really not that different than Vanderbilt that we're all worried Lea's going to leave for, but with an easier schedule.
It doesn't really sound like they're going after Lea, but a guy like him could do a lot worse (and probably not much better).

 

[Ndaccountant]

Realistically, could Lea set his sights higher than BC after this year? Yeah hes had great defenses and recruits + develops well, but he only has 2 years of coordinator experience.

I'm also not sure what the ceiling for BC would be, so I'm unsure whether taking that job is actually a great career move. Or am I just wrong?

Sent from my SM-J337U using Tapatalk

Not wrong at all.

That reminds me, remember coach Jags? What a strange fall that dude had.

 

[mick2]

Not wrong at all.

That reminds me, remember coach Jags? What a strange fall that dude had.

He got fired for interviewing for the Jets job. I was glad to see him go. Actually thought he was a good coach, he definitely knew how to fire up his boys to play us

 

[Ndaccountant]

He got fired for interviewing for the Jets job. I was glad to see him go. Actually thought he was a good coach, he definitely knew how to fire up his boys to play us

Yes, I recall that. But then he got hired by Tampa and was fired before the season even started the next year, for allegedly not knowing his own playbook. It was really strange.

But even if that were the case, the guy was successful at BC and had a decent background in the NFL before the BC gig. IIRC, he ended up bouncing between high school coaching and low level CFB. Didn't he get hired as OC for one of these start up professional leagues?

Again, strange path considering that guys typically recycle and are able to work their way back, but for whatever reason, Jags hasn't.

 

[Dizzyphil]

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Asked Brian Kelly about Clark Lea’s candidacy for Boston College. <br><br>"He’s an outstanding (DC), but there are other things that you have to begin to develop philosophically as a head coach ... those are exercises he’ll put together now in the offseason as he builds his resume."</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1209544620104978432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

 

[Dizzyphil]

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Followed up if Brian Kelly has had conversations with Clark Lea about the kind of head job (i.e. Group of 5, Power 5, specific Power 5) he’d want:<br><br>"I think a successful defensive coordinator at Notre Dame can put himself in a position to be a Power 5 head coach."</p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1209545035206840321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

FYI - He had a pretty lengthy interview with Pete Sampson and Matt Fortuna on "The Shamrock" (The Athletic podcast).

Free to listen - you can find the The Shamrock on any pod-streamer

I'll do my quick summary - Lea is next level intelligent. Including "emotional intelligence". You can tell he know how to read a player's personality and traits.

 

[Luckylucci]

FYI - He had a pretty lengthy interview with Pete Sampson and Matt Fortuna on "The Shamrock" (The Athletic podcast).

Free to listen - you can find the The Shamrock on any pod-streamer

I'll do my quick summary - Lea is next level intelligent. Including "emotional intelligence". You can tell he know how to read a player's personality and traits.

Love listening to that guy. Will definitely do so.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Love listening to that guy. Will definitely do so.

It's a good one - much less about the "team" and more "about his DNA" which is fascinating to listen too.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

He used a lot of big words.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

He used a lot of big words.

And used them coherently!

(I'm looking at you, Diaco)

 

[zelezo vlk]

Man ever since the first spring practices when Lea came over with Elko, the Irish sites have been raving about him as a teacher.

 

[Rogue219]

Vanderbilt is 0-3. Mason gets paid $3.5M+ but I don't know any info about a buyout because Vanderbilt is a private school. He's also been there for a while now, at least by CFB HC standards.

Lea's units continue to perform. I think that first half of the FSU game might have been his worst as ND DC but he seemed to adjust in the second half. He's 37 years old and has done a tremendous job at ND since being called upon. Programs are going to have interest.

I'd rather he take an HC job than move laterally to DC for more money at another program like Elko, unless he goes to the League to be a DC.

 

[317Irish]

Vanderbilt is 0-3. Mason gets paid $3.5M+ but I don't know any info about a buyout because Vanderbilt is a private school. He's also been there for a while now, at least by CFB HC standards.

Lea's units continue to perform. I think that first half of the FSU game might have been his worst as ND DC but he seemed to adjust in the second half. He's 37 years old and has done a tremendous job at ND since being called upon. Programs are going to have interest.

I'd rather he take an HC job than move laterally to DC for more money at another program like Elko, unless he goes to the League to be a DC.

No info on buyout and no sources, but I would think Mason has to be gone by year end as he has been on the hot seat for way too long. I can see them interviewing and hiring Lea. I can’t see him leaving for a DC position aside from perhaps Bama.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Not sure where Clark’s thinking will align with my thinking, but it’s hard to turn down a job offer from your alma mater.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Vanderbilt is 0-3. Mason gets paid $3.5M+ but I don't know any info about a buyout because Vanderbilt is a private school. He's also been there for a while now, at least by CFB HC standards.

Lea's units continue to perform. I think that first half of the FSU game might have been his worst as ND DC but he seemed to adjust in the second half. He's 37 years old and has done a tremendous job at ND since being called upon. Programs are going to have interest.

I'd rather he take an HC job than move laterally to DC for more money at another program like Elko, unless he goes to the League to be a DC.

I'm not defending Mason's tenure but Vandy only had 56 scholarship players available against South Carolina. With the athletic revenue situation I think they're likely to give him a mulligan for this year.

 

[GowerND11]

Not sure where Clark’s thinking will align with my thinking, but it’s hard to turn down a job offer from your alma mater.

That's definitely a great point, and one that ND has to be thinking about here.

The other side of the coin is, this guy isn't stupid right? So, he knows the massive challenges being:
A, a first time head coach
B, the pressure to win as an alumnus taking the reins
C, what Vandy is and what conference they are in.

I know guys want to be head coaches, so they take the risk, but I often wonder why more don't take the route of a Brent Venables or Bud Foster knowing they do that one job so well.

 

[CanadalovesND]

That's definitely a great point, and one that ND has to be thinking about here.

The other side of the coin is, this guy isn't stupid right? So, he knows the massive challenges being:
A, a first time head coach
B, the pressure to win as an alumnus taking the reins
C, what Vandy is and what conference they are in.

I know guys want to be head coaches, so they take the risk, but I often wonder why more don't take the route of a Brent Venables or Bud Foster knowing they do that one job so well.

Venables and Foster are comfortable in their roles. Their ambition and dedication to the game and improving themselves led them to that, but everyone reaches their ceiling. Whether it’s imposed on them by failures or just pure satisfaction in what they have accomplished.

You bring up valid points. Stepping into the SEC as a first year head coach likely isn’t the most ideal situation, but Lea is a competitor. I don’t think he would back down from such a challenge. A winning record and bowl appearances/victories is all we need to accomplish to graduate onto a bigger program, a larger challenge.

Eventually Lea will move onto a bigger role and a different school. He’s too young and too passionate to yield his progression as a coach.

There will be other programs calling, no doubt. The guy will have a few options to explore. Selfish of me to say, and I think all of you would agree with me, but I just don’t want him to go. He’s been our best, most consistent DC since I’ve been following this program, dating back to 2007.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Venables and Foster are comfortable in their roles. Their ambition and dedication to the game and improving themselves led them to that, but everyone reaches their ceiling. Whether it’s imposed on them by failures or just pure satisfaction in what they have accomplished.

You bring up valid points. Stepping into the SEC as a first year head coach likely isn’t the most ideal situation, but Lea is a competitor. I don’t think he would back down from such a challenge. A winning record and bowl appearances/victories is all we need to accomplish to graduate onto a bigger program, a larger challenge.

Eventually Lea will move onto a bigger role and a different school. He’s too young and too passionate to yield his progression as a coach.

There will be other programs calling, no doubt. The guy will have a few options to explore. Selfish of me to say, and I think all of you would agree with me, but I just don’t want him to go. He’s been our best, most consistent DC since I’ve been following this program, dating back to 2007.[

Well it hasn't exactly been a murderer's row during that stretch lol

 

[PANDFAN]

Venables and Foster are comfortable in their roles. Their ambition and dedication to the game and improving themselves led them to that, but everyone reaches their ceiling. Whether it’s imposed on them by failures or just pure satisfaction in what they have accomplished.

You bring up valid points. Stepping into the SEC as a first year head coach likely isn’t the most ideal situation, but Lea is a competitor. I don’t think he would back down from such a challenge. A winning record and bowl appearances/victories is all we need to accomplish to graduate onto a bigger program, a larger challenge.

Eventually Lea will move onto a bigger role and a different school. He’s too young and too passionate to yield his progression as a coach.

There will be other programs calling, no doubt. The guy will have a few options to explore. Selfish of me to say, and I think all of you would agree with me, but I just don’t want him to go. He’s been our best, most consistent DC since I’ve been following this program, dating back to 2007.

Bud Foster retired man