Clark Lea - Defensive Coordinator

[ulukinatme]

From what I understand...Venables has stayed at Clemson because guys love working for Dabo, he makes $2 million a year, and has 2 sons on the team.

Also think Bama gave Sark enough incentive to stay at Bama and take over when Saban retires.

Can't WAIT to see what Clemson looks like when Venables leaves.

I don't think Bama would give the reigns to Sark. He might be cleaned up now, but that USC run had a dismal ending and I don't think he's the kind of home run coach Alabama would go for.

That said, I'm not personally convinced they're lure Dabo away from Clemson, I mean...he's winning championships there already, they only thing I think they could possibly offer is more money and probably not that much since he's already getting bank. I only mentioned Dabo going to 'Bama once Saban retires because there's been a lot of smoke on that front for years.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

It's annoying that these programs can keep their coordinators for years, but every decent season Notre Dame has they lose someone.

I'm a huge fan of Clark and wish him well except when he plays the Irish.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I don't think Bama would give the reigns to Sark. He might be cleaned up now, but that USC run had a dismal ending and I don't think he's the kind of home run coach Alabama would go for.

That said, I'm not personally convinced they're lure Dabo away from Clemson, I mean...he's winning championships there already, they only thing I think they could possibly offer is more money and probably not that much since he's already getting bank. I only mentioned Dabo going to 'Bama once Saban retires because there's been a lot of smoke on that front for years.

I think Bama (and Saban) have realized that you can't win natty's anymore with a great defense. 2010 is long gone. Offense is the name of the game and Sark is their guy.

And I see no reason for Dabo to leave Clemson for Bama. MUCH easier path to championships in the ACC than SEC. He would be an idiot to leave.

 

[IrishLax]

I want him to just go to Nashville now. No way you can convince me the D wasn't impacted by news of Lea leaving. Hand Joseph/Eslton the keys for the bowl.

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Nobody is going to hold Golden Boy Lawrence to less than 30 points. We'll see that in the playoffs too.

More than anything, ND lost today because the offense imploded. There are a lot of reasons this happened but as a unit they just got dominated.

 

[Luckylucci]

I agree with Lax that by end of game the defense wasn’t the primary culprit of the embarrassment. However, I do think the defense was uncharacteristically bad in certain areas and segments of the game.

 

[NDisme]

Does anyone else think Venebles is not talking to anyone half the time on the sidelines in the headset? Seems like he’s just talking crazy nonsense half the time

 

[irishrb]

Does anyone else think Venebles is not talking to anyone half the time on the sidelines in the headset? Seems like he’s just talking crazy nonsense half the time

LOL My wife said the exact same thing...Said that he definitely had some diagnosis as a child...but good for him because it has served him well.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Does anyone else think Venebles is not talking to anyone half the time on the sidelines in the headset? Seems like he’s just talking crazy nonsense half the time

The guy is clearly on some kind of speed.

 

[NDRock]

Does anyone else think Venebles is not talking to anyone half the time on the sidelines in the headset? Seems like he’s just talking crazy nonsense half the time

He’s nuts and a great D coordinator. Would be crazy to be a head coach. He’ll never make it.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

I know its not the same level, but we have kept Elston around in much the same way as Venebles. We pay him well and give him a good life situation while also putting him in position to be a head coach somewhere if he wants it.

 

[Irishize]

I agree with Lax that by end of game the defense wasn’t the primary culprit of the embarrassment. However, I do think the defense was uncharacteristically bad in certain areas and segments of the game.

The secondary got torched in both Clemson games but Lawrence was the difference today b/c of his ability/experience in reading the defense & running read option. He ran for more yards today than Book ran vs Clemson in the first game.

How did the Irish defense complete shut down UNC’s potent offense (we saw what they did to most opponents) and look helpless today?

 

[GoIrish41]

The secondary got torched in both Clemson games but Lawrence was the difference today b/c of his ability/experience in reading the defense & running read option. He ran for more yards today than Book ran vs Clemson in the first game.

How did the Irish defense complete shut down UNC’s potent offense (we saw what they did to most opponents) and look helpless today?

Clemson athletes > NC athletes < ND athletes. It’s all about recruiting at the top of the heap.

 

[ulukinatme]

Lea was introduced at Vanderbilt this morning? Does this mean he's officially gone then? Mixed feelings either way.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clark Lea is introduced this morning at Vanderbilt. He says it feels great to be home but doesn't want his homecoming to be today's narrative, because "homecoming" suggests this was an emotional decision when, for him, it was a strategic decision. <a href="https://t.co/1ZCofCwf80">pic.twitter.com/1ZCofCwf80</a></p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/1340691420483629059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ulukinatme]

Follow up Tweet, looks like he is sticking through bowl game(s):

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Obviously I'm living a double life right now. My challenge is compartmentalizing my energy and my focus. ... If we're gonna be about relationships + about commitment, then it's of the utmost importance that I follow through on the commitment + relationship I have in South Bend."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/1340694721337962499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[irishff1014]

Follow up Tweet, looks like he is sticking through bowl game(s):

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Obviously I'm living a double life right now. My challenge is compartmentalizing my energy and my focus. ... If we're gonna be about relationships + about commitment, then it's of the utmost importance that I follow through on the commitment + relationship I have in South Bend."</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/1340694721337962499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If you were I introduced this morning it clearly shows you have moved on. Cya

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Lea staying on the staff for the playoff games...


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[tko]

Lea staying on the staff for the playoff games...


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I just hate these situations for all involved. It can't be easy.

 

[Old Man Mike]

A test of how much (or little) the players FEEL about playing for Lea. If they really like him, they'll try to step up. I have no idea about his interpersonal personality with the athletes.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I loved Lea, but it's time to get out of here.
I can't see how it's not a distraction and his focus will not be 100% on the task at hand.
If he was going to stick around through the bowls then he shouldn't have announced he's leaving.

Go away.

 

[ThePiombino]

Fucking love Lea and what he's done for this team after Elko left us in the lurch, but there is NO WAY he can be 100% focused on Bama at this point. He needs to go.

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[NDVirginia19]

I mean it's not like we're going to be any better with Lea moving on. I'd rather have Lea at 75% than not have him at all

 

[Prof K]

Lea knows how to call a game, which athletes perform in which situations, and how to make half time adjustments. By this time next year his replacement may be ready, but until then, I am grateful Lea will stick around and see this team through the NC.

 

[ThePiombino]

I mean it's not like we're going to be any better with Lea moving on. I'd rather have Lea at 75% than not have him at all

No. Just no. This team deserves more than 75% from their coaches, especially a coordinator.

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[Luckylucci]

Have any of Saban's assistants moved on in this manner during the playoffs? Or Meyer's? Serious question as I don't know. Any playoff team lost an assistant prior to the playoffs and then had that coach do this?

This just seems awfully ridiculous of Lea. I'm sure Vandy played hardball and told him if he wanted the job, this is what he had to do, so he did it. But, I just don't remember this being the case with other coaches. Though I could have this completely wrong.

 

[Rack Em]

Have any of Saban's assistants moved on in this manner during the playoffs? Or Meyer's? Serious question as I don't know. Any playoff team lost an assistant prior to the playoffs and then had that coach do this?

This just seems awfully ridiculous of Lea. I'm sure Vandy played hardball and told him if he wanted the job, this is what he had to do, so he did it. But, I just don't remember this being the case with other coaches. Though I could have this completely wrong.

Kiffin?

 

[NDdomer2]

Sark is a top candidate for Auburn ?

 

[RDU Irish]

I don't understand this contractually. Isn't some type of buyout standard for these guys to leave, particularly in the middle of a CFP season? You have to protect yourself from these guys being successful - it would be epically stupid not to? Have not heard a thing about ND getting X million $s for him getting poached. This should have been contractually shielded on some level.

I guarantee the Vandy GQ photoshoot detracted more than 0% from our potential on Saturday. Yes it did not matter b/c the offense crap the bed but a shitcan program like Vandy can wait until mid January for their dream hire.

 

[Rogue219]

I just hate these situations for all involved. It can't be easy.

Every two weeks when his direct deposit hits, he can breathe a bit easier I'm sure.

There's a trade off.

 

[Rogue219]

Sark is a top candidate for Auburn ?

Him, Napier, Venables and Elliott are their top candidates reportedly.

 

[NDdomer2]

I've been thinking and this season was kind of an ultimate "Ha Ha" to Elko. You made lateral move, Lea turned it into a P5 HC job, then we make Playoff and they come up short.

Grass aint always greener even if the money is.

Other random note - ND defense forced TL into his first ever INT against a Blitz and first ever in the ACC-CCG.