Clark Lea - Defensive Coordinator

K

koonja

Guest
Can we sign Matt Canada?


Nvm got my lsu staff mixed up.
 
Last edited:

ThePiombino

The OG "TP"
Messages
16,476
Reaction score
6,245
I’d take Canada over long
...
8b98789426128e6f51d2628e5994c569.jpg


Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

Irish Man3

Well-known member
Messages
6,583
Reaction score
954
I'm on the Lea/Elston wagon.

Give me Demetris Martin as a DB coach for recruiting.

Let's go.
 

NDRock

Well-known member
Messages
7,489
Reaction score
5,448
I'm on the Lea/Elston wagon.

Give me Demetris Martin as a DB coach for recruiting.

Let's go.

Best case scenario IMO, is that Lea is ready to take over the reigns. Looking at his bio, he's only coached LBs at every stop he's been at. Not sure what, if anything, this means. I was also surprised that he only coached with Elko for two seasons prior to this year (2012 at BG and and 2016 at Wake). Was under the impression he's been with Elko for awhile now. Either way, hope we keep him as he seemed to do a good job with the LBs this year.
 

BobbyMac

Staff & Stuff
Staff member
Messages
33,950
Reaction score
9,295
I'm on the Lea/Elston wagon.

Give me Demetris Martin as a DB coach for recruiting.

Let's go.

If Lea & Elston ar co-DC's and each stays in charge of their original position group, absolutely get Coach Meat for safeties.

If Lea gets the DC job and gives up the LB position, hire Brad Sherrod from Wake for LB's and role the safeties to Lyght.


* forgot to add regarding Coach Meat... If he doesn't get Barnett's dB job when they move Tressell up to DC, something's up. I would guess Dantonio was Meat's position coach at MSU.
 
Last edited:

Irish8248

Well-known member
Messages
1,994
Reaction score
880
And that would fall on the DC not the DB coach correct?

Not necessarily... maybe the corners aren't good enough to play press and the safeties aren't reliable safety valves.. could be talent, could be technique, could be scheme, or could be some of it all
 

SonofOahu

King Kamehameha
Messages
1,835
Reaction score
228
Anyone know if the Elko 4-2-5 is run like Gary Patterson’s, splitting the DL/LB play calling from the DBs? If so, and presuming a Lea / Elston co-DC situation would keep the same scheme, who takes over the DB play calling?

Being that the safety position was a weakness, would a base-nickel really be in our best interest?
 

Johannes

A Peppermint Nightmare
Messages
1,152
Reaction score
418
Being that the safety position was a weakness, would a base-nickel really be in our best interest?

Being that Elko’s (and presumably Lea’s) 4-2-5 is not a base-nickel, I’m sort of perplexed by your question. That said, I don’t believe safety should be as much of a concern moving forward with Gilman and the 2018 class on-board.
 

ThePiombino

The OG "TP"
Messages
16,476
Reaction score
6,245
Idk man, I kinda see what he's saying. Corners aren't TERRIBLE, but we do give up an absurd amount of 3rd and longs by playing too far off the wideouts.
One that I can think of specifically from the bowl game was on Elliot. A safety.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 

phgreek

New member
Messages
6,956
Reaction score
433
well it sounds like they may have a candidate from outside...cautiously optimistic.
 

phgreek

New member
Messages
6,956
Reaction score
433
Like they are in negotiations or like they might interview?

whoa, whoa, whoa...not doing fake insider guy here. I'm not in south bend, I don't know anyone on the administration,staff, or team...was merely commenting on a post prior to mine. Seemed like an insider pay site was saying neither of the internal guys are getting the nod. That would be my preference if the right external candidate could be had.
 

Fbolt

I've been around
Messages
6,940
Reaction score
2,259
I'm against an eternal hire which would require a retool of the D. A retool would stunt the D's growth and a new scheme takes consideration with who you plan to recruit and what's on the roster. Continuity is key.

Elston as the DC is most plausible as he's been with BK for years and they know each other. Lea has only coached LB's in the past but having him as a Co-DC gives him a promotion and should keep him.

Lea leaving for aTm with Elko is a ridiculous move IMO. There is no prestige there as ND > aTm. He would coach LB's but all the D success credit would go to Elko.
 

phgreek

New member
Messages
6,956
Reaction score
433
I'm against an eternal hire which would require a retool of the D. A retool would stunt the D's growth and a new scheme takes consideration with who you plan to recruit and what's on the roster. Continuity is key.

Elston as the DC is most plausible as he's been with BK for years and they know each other. Lea has only coached LB's in the past but having him as a Co-DC gives him a promotion and should keep him.

Lea leaving for aTm with Elko is a ridiculous move IMO. There is no prestige there as ND > aTm. He would coach LB's but all the D success credit would go to Elko.

I don't think anyone is looking for a major upheval...something similar on scheme, but a proven name with a little pull recruiting would be nice.
 

arrowryan

Well-known member
Messages
14,721
Reaction score
8,923
I'm not going to read through the whole thread, but I guess i'll give my 2 cents.

Losing Elko sucks, but life goes on and thats a part of the cfb business. I am on board of making Clark Lea the DC. There are a few reasons why am a fan of this:

1.) Having 3 different DCs in 3 years is not healthy. I know Lea is obviously a different DC, but he's the closest you'll get to Elko.

2.) You'll avoid installing a totally new defense. Guys like Tranquill, Coney, and Tillery don't want to learn a new defense for the 3rd year in a row. Avoid the confusion, keep the same defensive terminology, and stay in the same defense that did pretty well in 2017.

3.) All of the Rover players won't be stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they made an outside hire, chances are that group of 5-6 players are left without a position.

4.) Lea is a really good coach, IMO. He had the linebackers playing at a high level in 2016 and he recruits his butt off. Also, I think the negative impact will kept to a minimal on the defensive side of the ball.

Elko going to A&M sucks, but I don't think it'll have an impact on the 2018 record. The defense is still loaded with talent and Lea knows the players.

If Lea doesn't get the job and they do make an outside hire, Brian Kelly needs to choose carefully. He knows what to look for in a DC now. Get someone that gets after it in recruiting, is smart, and relates to the players well. Preferably a 4-2-5 DC, as well.
 
Last edited:

STLDomer

Schmitty
Messages
9,426
Reaction score
549
Is the Lea will coach the same defense as Elko a fact or just well reasoned assumption by many? Lea only coached under Elko for the last two years + I believe one at Bowling Green. He’s not a Elko pupil per se.
 

IrishBoognish

Well-known member
Messages
2,345
Reaction score
3,628
Is the Lea will coach the same defense as Elko a fact or just well reasoned assumption by many? Lea only coached under Elko for the last two years + I believe one at Bowling Green. He’s not a Elko pupil per se.

I'd have to assume that if Lua is hired, it would be because BK wants consistency and to stick to the scheme that they've been recruiting for. If, during the interview, Lua said he wanted to install a new system, why wouldn't they hire an established DC to do an overhaul? It wouldn't make sense.
 

NDRock

Well-known member
Messages
7,489
Reaction score
5,448
How could this be true regarding Polian?

Didn’t he tweet out a whole inspirational message on loyalty to ND after Elko left?

Think he just said that ND is bigger than one person. Money talks.
 
Top