Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea will reportedly take over the reins at Vanderbilt, his alma mater, after three years leading the Irish defense, two of which featured undefeated regular seasons and almost assuredly two Playoff berths. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg was the first of multiple reports with the news Monday morning.
A walk-on fullback for the Commodores in 2002-04, Lea was at the top of the list of expected candidates when Vanderbilt fired Derek Mason two weeks ago, and though the athletic director suggested an offensive focus in the coaching search, Lea remained an obvious possibility.