Clark Lea - Defensive Coordinator

[Rogue219]

Going into this season prior to Covid, Stanford and Northwestern were surely monitoring their on field progress I would have to assume. David Shaw had by far and away his worst season at Stanford while Pat Fitzgerald also had his worst season at Northwestern (3-9).

I think Lea would have a better chance of winning at either of those places as opposed to Vanderbilt. Something to consider.

I also think if Kelly decided he wanted to retire, whoever took his place would be wise to retain Lea.

Guy is in a pretty good situation either way you look at it. I have been very impressed with how his units have performed and I wasn't entirely on board with his promotion at the time. I think his stock is up right now, and high.

 

[DONTH8]

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.

It will be very interesting to see what schools do for coaches on the hot seat this year. Even a school like Texas. With the huge decrease in revenue due to lack of fans, etc. Schools won't have the money to buy someone out and then spend big money to go get someone else. I'm not saying it's impossible, and surely there will be some sort of coaching carousel this season. But I would wager that it'll be smaller than years past.

 

[Irish#1]

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.

It's not just being a competitor, but there is a certain amount of ego that goes into it as well. Someone like a Venables or Foster are/were comfortable just being a competitor. I have no idea where Lea falls, but he is still young in his role as a DC. Doesn't mean he doesn't have aspirations, but he may want to soak in some more knowledge before he makes the leap. Vandy is pretty much a death sentence when it comes to being a HC. The failures far outweigh the Franklins, so if you take it, you can expect to be looking for another assistant position in 3-5 years.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

He’s been our best, most consistent DC since I’ve been following this program, dating back to 2007.

I'd say he's the clearly the best ND DC since Barry Alvarez left in 1990.

 

[GowerND11]

It's not just being a competitor, but there is a certain amount of ego that goes into it as well. Someone like a Venables or Foster are/were comfortable just being a competitor. I have no idea where Lea falls, but he is still young in his role as a DC. Doesn't mean he doesn't have aspirations, but he may want to soak in some more knowledge before he makes the leap. Vandy is pretty much a death sentence when it comes to being a HC. The failures far outweigh the Franklins, so if you take it, you can expect to be looking for another assistant position in 3-5 years.

And sometimes by then you've lost some of that mojo that made you so coveted. (see Diaco)

 

[irish4ever]

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.

Purdue's Jeff Brohm did w/ Louisville, but that was HC to HC transition, not a promotion up to HC.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I remember reading a Q&A article on OFD back in 2018 when we played Vandy and the beat writer said it's a divisive topic, but majority of the fan base really likes Mason and understand their program's ceiling isn't all that high considering the conference they're in, though a lot can change in two years.

I think they view Franklin's success as a flash in the pan and Mason did get them to two bowl games in '16 and '18, which is saying something considering they've only been to a total of 9 (!) in their program's history.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I'd say he's the clearly the best ND DC since Barry Alvarez left in 1990.

Elko's departure was a blessing in disguise.

 

[IrishLax]

If I had to bet I think that Lea stays put until Kelly is ready to retire or move on. This is really close to a Lincoln Riley situation. Lea has everything you want in a coach -- intelligence, charisma, ability to recruit, ability to relate to players, a proven scheme, etc.

I 100% do not think there is any scenario where Lea leaves for a DC position elsewhere in CFB or in the NFL.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

If I had to bet I think that Lea stays put until Kelly is ready to retire or move on. This is really close to a Lincoln Riley situation. Lea has everything you want in a coach -- intelligence, charisma, ability to recruit, ability to relate to players, a proven scheme, etc.

I 100% do not think there is any scenario where Lea leaves for a DC position elsewhere in CFB or in the NFL.

I hope so because I want him to be the next head coach.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

If I had to bet I think that Lea stays put until Kelly is ready to retire or move on. This is really close to a Lincoln Riley situation. Lea has everything you want in a coach -- intelligence, charisma, ability to recruit, ability to relate to players, a proven scheme, etc.

I 100% do not think there is any scenario where Lea leaves for a DC position elsewhere in CFB or in the NFL.

Best news I've read all week.

I hope so because I want him to be the next head coach.

Same.

 

[Luckylucci]

It's probably not realistic as Rees will want to become a HC but a long term operation of HC Lea and OC Rees would be perfect.

 

[Irish#1]

It's probably not realistic as Rees will want to become a HC but a long term operation of HC Lea and OC Rees would be perfect.

Slow the horse down. Tommy just started his coaching gig. I do agree that he will want to be a HC eventually, but I think we're about 5-7 years away at a minimum.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'm always hesitant to give into that sorta thought, but Lea definitely seems like he'll have a decent floor as HC. The beat writers have been raving about him as a teacher since Day 1, and I think that translates well. My biggest concern would be his ability to effectively lead everything from HC, along with basically admitting that our next HC won't be an elite recruiter. Lea gets the job done with LB recruiting, but I'm a bit disappointed that he's not a total grinder on the recruiting trail.

It just means surrounding him with elite recruiters will be even more important.

Slow the horse down. Tommy just started his coaching gig. I do agree that he will want to be a HC eventually, but I think we're about 5-7 years away at a minimum.

Well look at the trends recently. Young energetic guys are getting jobs all over, not just in CFB. I don't think anybody expects Rees to be ready for the ND job in 3 years, but if he continues to prove himself as a good OC at a blue blood, he's gonna have job offers. Really the key for him will be waiting u ntil the right opportunity pops up. He should not just jump on the first UConn or Miami, OH job.

 

[Luckylucci]

I'm always hesitant to give into that sorta thought, but Lea definitely seems like he'll have a decent floor as HC. The beat writers have been raving about him as a teacher since Day 1, and I think that translates well. My biggest concern would be his ability to effectively lead everything from HC, along with basically admitting that our next HC won't be an elite recruiter. Lea gets the job done with LB recruiting, but I'm a bit disappointed that he's not a total grinder on the recruiting trail.

It just means surrounding him with elite recruiters will be even more important.



Well look at the trends recently. Young energetic guys are getting jobs all over, not just in CFB. I don't think anybody expects Rees to be ready for the ND job in 3 years, but if he continues to prove himself as a good OC at a blue blood, he's gonna have job offers. Really the key for him will be waiting u ntil the right opportunity pops up. He should not just jump on the first UConn or Miami, OH job.

Precisely. If he has this offense playing like this for the next 2 full seasons, he's going to have some very tough decisions to make in year 3. Considering Kelly wants to coach for several more years, there is just no way we can reasonably assume that Rees is around as OC that whole time.

 

[ulukinatme]

Precisely. If he has this offense playing like this for the next 2 full seasons, he's going to have some very tough decisions to make in year 3. Considering Kelly wants to coach for several more years, there is just no way we can reasonably assume that Rees is around as OC that whole time.

Didn't Kelly say he's out in 2025? Thought I remember his contract running out about that time and he said he wants to retire or something. Could be wrong...but I would be okay with Rees or Lea taking over at that time. Both will be well vetted by then if they're still with the program.

 

[Huntr]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Love what we are seeing out of <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lea?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Lea</a>’s <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NDFootball</a> defense in 2020.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Irish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Irish</a> <a href="https://t.co/RhBlsU7ZDI">pic.twitter.com/RhBlsU7ZDI</a></p>— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportSourceA/status/1318178096152018946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote>

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Love what we are seeing out of <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lea?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Lea</a>’s <a href="https://twitter.com/NDFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NDFootball</a> defense in 2020.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Irish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Irish</a> <a href="https://t.co/RhBlsU7ZDI">pic.twitter.com/RhBlsU7ZDI</a></p>— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportSourceA/status/1318178096152018946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote>

That's one of the prettier charts you'll see lol.

The only deficiencies are starting field position and turnovers... if the offense helps out with the field position thing, they're in a better spot.

And if they DL gets warmed up and starts generating more pressure, the turnovers improve.

#ClarkLea4Prez

 

[Rogue219]

To this point, I have been impressed with what Rees has done with a limited sample size of play calling. He became OC and his first season is a rather unusual one for everyone considering the circumstances.

That being said, if you ask me who I'd rather have slide into CBK's seat at ND when he's done, the answer is Lea as of right now.

Crossing that bridge when we get there, though. This isn't the kind of job you want as your first HC experience.

Clark Lea's defenses continue to perform at a high level versus the teams they face on their schedule. That is all you can ask.

 

[Wingman Ray]

Gonna have to do something because the sharks will be swarming from other teams to get this guy soon

 

[zelezo vlk]

Gonna have to do something because the sharks will be swarming from other teams to get this guy soon

I imagine Lea is looking for the right job, not just a new job. If he wanted to be the highest paid DC in CFB, I imagine we would've seen him bounce already a la Elko.

Who are the realistic openings after this year? Everyone seems to think few colleges pull the trigger, but there will still be some.

 

[House16]

I imagine Lea is looking for the right job, not just a new job. If he wanted to be the highest paid DC in CFB, I imagine we would've seen him bounce already a la Elko.

Who are the realistic openings after this year? Everyone seems to think few colleges pull the trigger, but there will still be some.

In a non-covid year, Vandy seems like the obvious answer here. Which sucks because that would be a tough job to pull him away from, given it’s his Alma mater.

 

[stpeteirish]

Going into this season prior to Covid, Stanford and Northwestern were surely monitoring their on field progress I would have to assume. David Shaw had by far and away his worst season at Stanford while Pat Fitzgerald also had his worst season at Northwestern (3-9).

I think Lea would have a better chance of winning at either of those places as opposed to Vanderbilt. Something to consider.

I also think if Kelly decided he wanted to retire, whoever took his place would be wise to retain Lea.

Guy is in a pretty good situation either way you look at it. I have been very impressed with how his units have performed and I wasn't entirely on board with his promotion at the time. I think his stock is up right now, and high.

Doubt your 3rd paragraph is right. If Lea gets passed over for HC at ND he's a HC somewhere else, quickly.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Please!: Beamer/Foster 2.0

 

[NDRock]

Please!: Beamer/Foster 2.0

I'd prefer the onfield success of Dabo/Venebles.

 

[IrishLax]

Gonna have to do something because the sharks will be swarming from other teams to get this guy soon

The thing is, he's not going to leave for another DC job. He's seen what has happened with Elko and has built something great so far at ND + he is well compensated.

So that leaves HC jobs. He's not going to leave for a shitty HC job, or he would've last year.

I'm not saying he's going to be Brent Venables and stay put forever, but I think there is a clear path to him being the ND HC and he's unlikely to leave for anything short of a "good" P5 job. Kelly is not going to be here for that much longer, and Lea is a very young coach.

 

[BobbyMac]

I imagine Lea is looking for the right job, not just a new job. If he wanted to be the highest paid DC in CFB, I imagine we would've seen him bounce already a la Elko.

Who are the realistic openings after this year? Everyone seems to think few colleges pull the trigger, but there will still be some.

Texas offers him $3M and ND cucks out, lets him go to Austin and hires freshly fired Pelini for $199k + a gold Chevy Spark company car

 

[TorontoGold]

The thing is, he's not going to leave for another DC job. He's seen what has happened with Elko and has built something great so far at ND + he is well compensated.

So that leaves HC jobs. He's not going to leave for a shitty HC job, or he would've last year.

I'm not saying he's going to be Brent Venables and stay put forever, but I think there is a clear path to him being the ND HC and he's unlikely to leave for anything short of a "good" P5 job. Kelly is not going to be here for that much longer, and Lea is a very young coach.

I'm curious on this point, I usually have ESPNU84 on while I'm working on seems like everyone goes out of their way to say "TAMU has that storied Mike Elko D". Is his reputation actually tarnished?

What would consider a good P5 job, like a Michigan State type job? (I know Mel Tucker just got there, but a team on that level)

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

All I know is, if he leaves. He'll be making a good pick. No Diaco to Uconn mess. (still rebuilding his career now)

He'll pick a school with great academics. You can tell he has value for that.

 

[Redbar]

All I know is, if he leaves. He'll be making a good pick. No Diaco to Uconn mess. (still rebuilding his career now)

He'll pick a school with great academics. You can tell he has value for that.

Stanford? Italics???