‘Vanderbilt is home’: Coach Lea gets extension
Jul 17, 2023, 12:53 PM ET Vanderbilt has signed football coach Clark Lea to an agreement extension, the school announced Monday.Terms were not
disclosed, however sources informed ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Lea got a three-year extension that will carry him through the 2029 season.
“Vanderbilt is home, it is such an honor for me to lead our football program,” Lea, 41, stated in a declaration. “The only way that we achieve the objective we have stated for Vanderbilt Football is with the vision and support from Chancellor [Daniel] Diermeier and [athletic director] Candice Lee. To have them acknowledge the progress we have actually made to this point, and to commit to seeing us push even more on our journey suggests whatever to me. Like everyone who belongs of our team, I will work to earn it every day, and acknowledge the terrific duty I have with the incredible opportunity and assistance I’ve been provided. I likewise want to thank the members of our program, both student-athletes and staff. Their effort and sacrifice is what permits development in our mission to develop a program that makes all of Vanderbilt and Nashville proud.”
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Lea, entering his third season as Vanderbilt’s head coach, was 7-17 in his first 2 seasons. After going 2-10 in 2021, the Commodores improved to 5-7 last season and made their first SEC success given that 2019 and first Power 5 triumph given that 2018 under his management.
“I’m thrilled with our football program’s advancement on and off of the field under Clark Lea’s management,” Lee stated in a declaration. “He is unrelenting in his commitment to build a foundation that yields sustainable success. He approaches every day with the pride of an alumnus who personally understands the chance that lies before us, and the determination of a coach and leader who has the vision to fulfill it. Coach Lea shares our desire to be fantastic at whatever we do. I’m delighted to see what comes next for this program and gratified Coach Lea will continue blazing a trail.”
Lea, a Nashville native, completed his college playing career as a fullback at Vanderbilt.