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Vandy’s coach to the loser of the Kiffin sweepstakes?

Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:25 am
Posted by Smokeyone
Maryville Tn
Member since Jul 2016
20841 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:25 am
Haven’t seen his name mentioned vet but I could see him moving up. VaTech would be an interesting move
Posted by Lizardman2
Member since Jan 2024
2384 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:36 am to
Clarke Lea being successful at his alma mater is really cool. I hope he stays and continues to do big things - I think the success they have had the past few years can lead to portal success.
Posted by AUCE05
Member since Dec 2009
44668 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:38 am to
Vandy is a fantastic job. Assuming he is getting support, there is no reason to leave Nashville.
Posted by Ancient Astronaut
Member since May 2015
37036 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:38 am to
I doubt he leaves
Posted by roadGator
Member since Feb 2009
154249 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:39 am to
I don’t think he leaves.

He’s an interesting candidate though.
Posted by dbuchanon
Member since Nov 2014
20777 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:39 am to
Always hard to pull an Alum from their school.

If that wasn’t the case, teams would be in line for Brohm at Louisville imo
Posted by UTprideofTX
Member since Apr 2013
2658 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:40 am to
Exactly, it’s one of the most patient, low pressure jobs there is.

I also think it’s hard to underwrite him as a coach because they hit the lottery with the NM staff & player transfers
Posted by reggierayreb
Member since Nov 2012
18785 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:41 am to
I'm not going to pretend college football is college baseball but Lea is definitely tapping into what Tim Corbin has. Top notch education and degree. Fun city. An Alumni base that has finally opened up their pocket books. Mainly he's established his own culture. I wish he'd stay for many years but Sexton is his agent at the end of the day.
Posted by Roll Tide Ravens
Birmingham, AL
Member since Nov 2015
50575 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:43 am to
I’m not saying he’s not a good coach, but Clark Lea wasn’t having much success at Vandy before the arrival of Diego Pavia, Tim Beck and Jerry Kill. This will only be his second winning season as a head coach (last season was the first). I don’t think it’s quite time to start mentioning him for top-tier jobs like Penn State, Florida or LSU.
This post was edited on 10/27/25 at 10:44 am
Posted by Open Dore Policy
The Commodore State
Member since Oct 2012
5291 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:44 am to
Tennessee fans getting worried.
Posted by surgicalvenom
Omaha
Member since Jan 2014
6415 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:46 am to
Lea was an average coach before Pavia. Remember, between New Mexico State and Vandy, Pavia has been in that offensive system for 4 years.

Does he become an average again after Pavia finally leaves?
Posted by MemphisGuy
Germantown, TN
Member since Nov 2023
13464 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:46 am to
quote:

Haven’t seen his name mentioned vet but I could see him moving up. VaTech would be an interesting move

Unless I'm missing something... in what universe is Va Tech a step up from ANY SEC job?
Posted by GTnerd
ATL Jawja baby
Member since Sep 2023
662 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:52 am to
quote:

VaTech would be an interesting move


No way, Vandy is a better job and in a better conference than VT
Posted by Don Quixote
Member since May 2023
4040 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 10:54 am to
People keep saying that Lea is not leaving his alma mater, but he's only 44 yrs old so he's doing himself a great disservice by not talking to other schools ... particular in a sellers market.

Again at 44 nothing's saying he can't "go home" later in his career.
This post was edited on 10/27/25 at 11:18 am
Posted by Don Quixote
Member since May 2023
4040 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 11:23 am to
quote:

in what universe is Va Tech a step up from ANY SEC job?


probably not unless your last name is Beamer
Posted by Don Quixote
Member since May 2023
4040 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 11:29 am to
quote:

Lea was an average coach before Pavia.


perhaps, but the transfer portal means the next Pavia is out there for him to go find again
Posted by Rip Torn
Member since Mar 2020
5619 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 11:38 am to
Vandy’s success is a direct result of Pavia and his coordinator coming to Vandy. I am sure Clark Lea is a great guy but Vandy will come back to Earth next year or if and when Jerry Kill retires. He has health problems but is a great coach
Posted by Jmill88
St. Louis
Member since Feb 2016
1107 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 11:52 am to
He has done a great job, but how much has Jerry Kill contributed to the success?
Posted by Don Quixote
Member since May 2023
4040 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 12:00 pm to
Expect we'll find out sooner than later on that note
Posted by NickPapageorgio
Yuma, AZ
Member since Oct 2014
1122 posts
Posted on 10/27/25 at 12:25 pm to
Vandy has more money than any school in the SEC besides Texas.

The alumni are LOADED.

Vandy is a sleeping giant under the NIL system.

They just have to chose to spend on football.

If he can convince the rich alumni to support a fellow vandy grad build a winner then he can win huge at Vandy.
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