Clark Lea - Defensive Coordinator

[ThePiombino]

I think you underestimate them....like, a lot.

It wasn't long ago when it would be a foregone conclusion, but they're currently hemoraging money and image right now. They know who they would be getting into bed with if they hired UM. I don't think they're willing to risk it at this point in time.

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[Irish#1]

I think you underestimate them....like, a lot.

I don't think so. There's a reason Swann is gone. Read up on the new president and you'll see she is all about cleaning up the tarnished image in academics and athletics. Urban Liar's baggage is full of unflattering tales.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I don't think so. There's a reason Swann is gone. Read up on the new president and you'll see she is all about cleaning up the tarnished image in academics and athletics. Urban Liar's baggage is full of unflattering tales.

In addition, wasn't there several BoT members earlier this year go on record as saying they couldn't support a Meyer hire?

 

[ulukinatme]

Looks at EVERY football coach to get into hot water in the last 10 years: Briles, Petrino, Freeze, Chip Kelly, Mike Leach, etc. Every one of them returned to the sport or they're still coaching after being part of major scandals. The only one that didn't return to coaching was Joe Paterno because he died. Given the fact Penn State has walked back just about every penalty they incurred as a result of the Sandusky scandal, I wouldn't be surprised if Paterno, if he were alive today, would have returned to Penn State eventually (Even in a non-coaching capacity).

Winning cures everything in sports, even bad pasts. Teams are willing to overlook shady actions if they think you can bring them wins. I seriously hope USC doesn't look Urban's way, but I wouldn't be surprised if they roll the dice looking for a savior. I wouldn't put it past USC to try, but on the flip side I think Urban really is done coaching this time.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

It wasn't long ago when it would be a foregone conclusion, but they're currently hemoraging money and image right now. They know who they would be getting into bed with if they hired UM. I don't think they're willing to risk it at this point in time.

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I don't think so. There's a reason Swann is gone. Read up on the new president and you'll see she is all about cleaning up the tarnished image in academics and athletics. Urban Liar's baggage is full of unflattering tales.

You guys might be right here, but I still wouldn't be surprised. I could see it both ways. You have a university that is trying to right their PR ship, but a football team that is desparate to get back to its winning ways. Could see Urban be the snake that he is and convince them he's learned from the error of his ways and he's a changed man since his days in C'bus.

 

[Irish#1]

Looks at EVERY football coach to get into hot water in the last 10 years: Briles, Petrino, Freeze, Chip Kelly, Mike Leach, etc. Every one of them returned to the sport or they're still coaching after being part of major scandals. The only one that didn't return to coaching was Joe Paterno because he died. Given the fact Penn State has walked back just about every penalty they incurred as a result of the Sandusky scandal, I wouldn't be surprised if Paterno, if he were alive today, would have returned to Penn State eventually (Even in a non-coaching capacity).

Winning cures everything in sports, even bad pasts. Teams are willing to overlook shady actions if they think you can bring them wins. I seriously hope USC doesn't look Urban's way, but I wouldn't be surprised if they roll the dice looking for a savior. I wouldn't put it past USC to try, but on the flip side I think Urban really is done coaching this time.

Agree, but Briles is coaching HS and these others aren't coaching at what I would consider an elite program.

You guys might be right here, but I still wouldn't be surprised. I could see it both ways. You have a university that is trying to right their PR ship, but a football team that is desparate to get back to its winning ways. Could see Urban be the snake that he is and convince them he's learned from the error of his ways and he's a changed man since his days in C'bus.

I just can't see her buying it. Meyer's has two black stains. To me it would be hard to convince an academia that he's a changed man.

 

[arndtjc]

Pay the man, make him head coach in waiting, give him unlimited access to the mum farm, whatever it takes, the admin needs to keep this guy around

 

[stlnd01]

Looks at EVERY football coach to get into hot water in the last 10 years: Briles, Petrino, Freeze, Chip Kelly, Mike Leach, etc. Every one of them returned to the sport or they're still coaching after being part of major scandals. The only one that didn't return to coaching was Joe Paterno because he died. Given the fact Penn State has walked back just about every penalty they incurred as a result of the Sandusky scandal, I wouldn't be surprised if Paterno, if he were alive today, would have returned to Penn State eventually (Even in a non-coaching capacity).

Winning cures everything in sports, even bad pasts. Teams are willing to overlook shady actions if they think you can bring them wins. I seriously hope USC doesn't look Urban's way, but I wouldn't be surprised if they roll the dice looking for a savior. I wouldn't put it past USC to try, but on the flip side I think Urban really is done coaching this time.

If it was just relatively minor recruiting stuff, like Chip Kelly, that'd be one thing. Most casual fans don't care or understand all that anyway. But Meyer looking the other way on domestic abuse by one of his coaches (on top of his other issues) is going to be a pretty big deal for large chunks of the USC alumni base and board. Sure they want to win, but that school's got a lot of constituencies to think about. They can find, and pay, someone else.

 

[T-Boone]

what he has done with the line backers in his time is impressive. Coney, Tranquil improved. Bilal, White improving. The guys he recruited Simon, Lamb etc developing.

 

[Irish#1]

If it was just relatively minor recruiting stuff, like Chip Kelly, that'd be one thing. Most casual fans don't care or understand all that anyway. But Meyer looking the other way on domestic abuse by one of his coaches (on top of his other issues) is going to be a pretty big deal for large chunks of the USC alumni base and board. Sure they want to win, but that school's got a lot of constituencies to think about. They can find, and pay, someone else.

Don't forget how he turned his head to all of the criminal activities while at UF. He rode out of town right before the posse arrived.

 

[ThePiombino]

what he has done with the line backers in his time is impressive. Coney, Tranquil improved. Bilal, White improving. The guys he recruited Simon, Lamb etc developing.

The fact that he somehow transitioned Bilal into a serviceable starter is all I need to know about the guy.

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[stlnd01]

Don't forget how he turned his head to all of the criminal activities while at UF. He rode out of town right before the posse arrived.

That too.

 

[KizerWilhelm]

https://theathletic.com/1293876/201...-2019-season-coaching-carousel-names-to-know/

Lea comes comes in #12 in Feldman's list of hot coaches in the 2019 coaching carousel (Elko is #11). He notes that Lea is a Vanderbilt grad.

 

[ulukinatme]

I said it earlier in the year, I don't think we have Lea for much longer. Unless he's content being a coordinator like some coaches, someone is going to offer him a payday.

 

[D-BOE34]

I said it earlier in the year, I don't think we have Lea for much longer. Unless he's content being a coordinator like some coaches, someone is going to offer him a payday.

I don't think he leaves for pay to DC somewhere else like Elko. I also wonder if he is smart enough to hang around at ND and learn more before taking a HC role. I sure hope so at least.

If we lost Lea, I wonder who we would go after as DC who could run similar system. Does Elston have the knowledge to lead the same type of defense? By that I mean not get too far away from the same behaviors being taught now.

 

[NDty9]

I don't think he leaves for pay to DC somewhere else like Elko. I also wonder if he is smart enough to hang around at ND and learn more before taking a HC role. I sure hope so at least.

If we lost Lea, I wonder who we would go after as DC who could run similar system. Does Elston have the knowledge to lead the same type of defense? By that I mean not get too far away from the same behaviors being taught now.

Possible to give Lea a huge pay day to STAY here ??? (I know, wishful thinking here at ND).... theoretically he could take that money and then stay to follow up Kelly when he leaves ?? Crazy talk on my part perhaps ??

 

[T-Boone]

Just make him co-assistant head coach.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I think Clark is smart enough to understand the difference between getting a HC gig and getting the right HC gig.

 

[BabyIrish]

Lea hasn’t even been DC for two full seasons. If Dabo can keep Veneables we should be able to keep Lea lo than 2-3 years. I’d be shocked if he left after this season.

 

[ulukinatme]

Lea hasn’t even been DC for two full seasons. If Dabo can keep Veneables we should be able to keep Lea lo than 2-3 years. I’d be shocked if he left after this season.

Yeah, but when have we ever been able to keep a successful coordinator?

 

[Irish#1]

I think Clark is smart enough to understand the difference between getting a HC gig and getting the right HC gig.

Lea hasn’t even been DC for two full seasons. If Dabo can keep Veneables we should be able to keep Lea lo than 2-3 years. I’d be shocked if he left after this season.

Yeah, but when have we ever been able to keep a successful coordinator?

So many factors to take into consideration.
1. Current state of school's program.
2. Schools track record of supporting the FB program.
3. Schools commitment to improving facilities, salaries, recruiting budget, etc.
4. Why is the position open?
5. What level is the program considered to be (ND, Bama, Boise St, UCF, Colorado, Ball State)?
6. Is there real opportunity to prove yourself.
7. Contract (salary, term, buyout, renewal).
8. Family (ready to move?)

I have no idea what Lea's aspirations are, but he's young and if he's smart he will be very judicious when making a decision when that time comes. He's has a pretty attractive gig right now.

 

[NDIrish88]

If I were him I would bide my time until Kelly decides to leave. IMO, there isn't any other HC out there that I really like to replace Kelly. Honestly I think Elston would be fine as long as Lea stays at DC.

My question is, if Lea ends up as ND's HC, who becomes the DC?

 

[Rack Em]

If I were him I would bide my time until Kelly decides to leave. IMO, there isn't any other HC out there that I really like to replace Kelly. Honestly I think Elston would be fine as long as Lea stays at DC.

My question is, if Lea ends up as ND's HC, who becomes the DC?

Brian VanGorder riding a white stallion up Notre Dame Avenue as he makes his triumphant return to South Bend

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I think Clark is smart enough to understand the difference between getting a HC gig and getting the right HC gig.

I agree with you but one of those open jobs may be Vanderbilt and it might have too much sentimental value for him to turn down.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Vanderbilt may be the hardest gig in the country. I dont think that program will ever win consistently. It would be a bad move imo.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Lea hasn’t even been DC for two full seasons. If Dabo can keep Veneables we should be able to keep Lea lo than 2-3 years. I’d be shocked if he left after this season.

Yep this was the point I was going to make. he would be wise to try and leverage an interview or two into a raise, but he was a LB coach until last season. He hasn't been DC for two full football seasons yet. There is a lot more that comes with being a HC and I wonder if he is personally ready to make that leap.

If he is, can't fault the guy for taking a (potentially) major promotion. But he doesn't strike me as an impulsive decision maker, so I trust Lea's judgement. He will do what's best for him, I just hope BK, Swarbrick and ND collectively make it really hard for him to leave.

 

[ulukinatme]

Brian VanGorder riding a white stallion up Notre Dame Avenue as he makes his triumphant return to South Bend

 

[RDU Irish]

Dude is young - Vandy will open up at least a dozen more times during his career. Who cares if he went there - he can't be so dumb to think he can make them contend in the SEC?

I hope he values some stability for a few years and logs a good 4-5 years before seriously looking at a HC job. I think after the Elko fiasco, ND is finally woken up to the idea of paying coordinators top dollar. He has a long career ahead of him.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

He also has to be looking at personnel and realizing they are really stocking the cupboards. He can continue to build out his defensive philosophy at a premier program and he'll have more offensive help over the next 2-3 years.

At that point, he'll have a very padded resume and could be on the shortlist to replace Kelly at retirement. I just hope Swarbrick and Kelly go to bat for a contract extension for the assistants Kelly wants to keep.

 

[ND88]

If I were him I would bide my time until Kelly decides to leave. IMO, there isn't any other HC out there that I really like to replace Kelly. Honestly I think Elston would be fine as long as Lea stays at DC.

My question is, if Lea ends up as ND's HC, who becomes the DC?

Elston?