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Another Clark Lea thread...

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clover3ND

Shakes Down The Thunder
Aug 9, 2008
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Definitely not the guy to dig into the rumor mill (nor scratch the surface of it), but you can consider Clark Lea officially gone. One of my colleagues works with the medical staff at Notre Dame and the rumor coming out behind closed doors is Vandy has already reached out to Lea and they (Vandy and Lea) are currently working on a deal. He’s going to stay throughout the season and potential post season (COVID permitting) and transition from there. Can’t fault a guy for taking a promotion and advancing his career.

It was a heck of a run! Possibly 44-6 in the last 50 games to end the season (factoring in wins vs Syracuse and Wake) as well as the Nations longest current winning streak! With that said, I guess let the “who will replace Lea” thread begin...
 
Taking the Vanderbilt job is not advancing your career. He should wait it out a little longer.

Brian Kelly was very deliberate and intelligent every step of the way as he worked up the college coaching latter. Kelly turned down Iowa State and took the Cincinnati job instead. While at GVSU he turned down the Eastern Michigan job and took over Central Michigan. At those times ISU and EMU were the worst jobs in the country and not worth the risk of stalling your career.
 
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TOMMY_23 said:
Taking the Vanderbilt job is not advancing your career. He should wait it out a little longer.

Brian Kelly was very deliberate and intelligent every step of the way as he worked up the college coaching latter. Kelly turned down Iowa State and took the Cincinnati job instead. While at GVSU he turned down the Eastern Michigan job and took over Central Michigan. At those times ISU and EMU were the worst jobs in the country and not worth the risk of stalling your career.
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It’s a double sided coin, but I can definitely see your point. Some would argue that it could be used as a stepping stone to a more lucrative Power 5 program (James Franklin and PSU); however, more often than not it doesn’t end that way. But you can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket...
 
Who are we going to go after to replace him? Hope we don’t lose recruits once the news breaks, but I guess it’s inevitable.

I wasn’t optimistic about Tommy Rees, but he’s done a hell of a job this year. Whomever we hire, I hope Kelly and Swarbrick get it right.
 
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I hate to say I called it. But if you're right even though you're not normally a rumor-monger than I did indeed call it. You could definitely see this coming with Vandy being particularly poor all season long, and Derek Mason pretty much being in the last chance saloon anyway before the season even started. It wouldn't surprise me if they're doing this now just to get CL wrapped up before fate might somehow intervene. And that's how much they want him.

And it was a hell of a run. That's why we gotta make the playoff for sure, and then we did pretty good for ourselves with two playoff appearances in three years. I'm content.
 
echowaker said:
Many folks thought the sky was falling when Elko left. If Lea moves on ND will survive just fine. Promote Elston or take a big swing at Marcus Freeman.
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Not sure if Freeman (or Luke Fickell for that matter) is leaving Ohio anytime soon. Both Ohio born/ raised... ties to OSU, and now at Cincy. Hard to see them leaving. However, if the right school knocks its hard not to open the door, either.
 
clover3ND said:
Not sure if Freeman (or Luke Fickell for that matter) is leaving Ohio anytime soon. Both Ohio born/ raised... ties to OSU, and now at Cincy. Hard to see them leaving. However, if the right school knocks its hard not to open the door, either.
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Freeman wants to make the jump to HC at some point soon. That will require leaving Ohio unless he replaces Fickell. The nice thing is that ND with BK is inherently different then Michigan St. with first year Mel Tucker. Also ND could pay Freeman 2.5x what Cincy is paying him and it would still be less then Lea.
 
Promote elston and keep things moving forward...I'd be much more concerned with who else from the staff may leave with him....
 
echowaker said:
Many folks thought the sky was falling when Elko left. If Lea moves on ND will survive just fine. Promote Elston or take a big swing at Marcus Freeman.
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100%! He's done a fantastic job at Cincy. He also was well respected for the job he did at Purdue
 
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Something to think about --

"Most importantly, a coach who takes this (Vandy) job will be accepting a risk. He must be able to afford a failure. The Vanderbilt job has been a bottomless pit recently. Who can take the gig, potentially get fired in a few years, and still retain the stature he currently possesses in the industry? "
 
mirer03 said:
Promote elston and keep things moving forward...I'd be much more concerned with who else from the staff may leave with him....
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I'm more concerned with him not being in the booth for ACC Championship and possibly the playoffs.
 
Vandi - I wouldn't take that opportunity. To upgrade Vandi to even a middle tier SEC team would be a hard accomplishment.
 
Golson5 said:
It sounds like internet rumor mill trash to me.
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Definitely not rumor mill trash. Real possibility of it happening. It was inevitable. The vast majority of successful assistants hope to have a chance to run their own program.
 
Golson5 said:
It sounds like internet rumor mill trash to me.
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I agree. It is way too soon after the firing. Crazy if they aren't going to interview other candidates. I love Clark Lea but the school has to due its due diligence.
 
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Pennick4 said:
I agree. It is way too soon after the firing. Crazy if they aren't going to interview other candidates. I love Clark Lea but the school has to due its due diligence.
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Agreed but to dismiss Lea as a legitimate candidate is crazy.
 
Being a defensive coach,Lea would have to find a really good OC. That will not be an easy task persuading one to come to Vandy. It is and will be the bottom of the barrel in SEC. Just a fact. I know Lea will make a great head coach soon but it would be a tough going at Vandy.. I wish him only the best whatever he does. More than Mike Elko.
 
I very much hope it is just a rumor and it could well be.

I would definitely think Mike Elston would seemingly be in line for his shot if he does leave.
 
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echowaker said:
Definitely not rumor mill trash. Real possibility of it happening. It was inevitable. The vast majority of successful assistants hope to have a chance to run their own program.
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Him possibly leaving is possible. Someone saying they know people in the nd offices and Lea to vandy is already a done deal. Thats internet rumors
 
Pennick4 said:
You called it inevitable...
What did you think of how Zac played? Obviously the snaps were an issue.
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One bad snap off his bottom, one bad snap because of lack of awareness. Not concerned about it. For his first start I thought he was very good. Good in pass protection and excellent at getting to the 2nd level. Bright future for that young man.
 
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After reading the articles about the female kicker giving a pep talk at halftime......man a new coach is going to have his hands full changing the culture I can't imagine any locker room that would think it was ok to have her speak after only being on the team for a few days. Any coach that can turn this program around has my respect
 
echowaker said:
So then it's not rumor mill trash ?
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How is him being a candidate and someone saying they have inside info that Lea is gone from inside the ND building the same to you?? Can you not follow along? Pay attention to what is being said or try to comprehend better.

You think I'm supposed to buy some internet guy saying he knows Lea is officially gone because he knows people inside Notre Dame? Not buying his story.

I am buying Lea as a legit candidate for Vanderbilt.

2 different things. Try to keep up
 
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I don't want the Clark Lea situation to be a distraction for this defense and this team. Thats all I care about at this point in time.
 
The situation at Vandy is quite toxic right now....with players revolting. Apparently there are two factions: one who are upset the coach was fired...and the other humiliated by the publicity stunt. The official party line that COVID is the reason for the cancellation is being floated...but many not buying it.

The next coach at Vandy will have to start from the beginning and build a brand new team. That will be a steep climb.
 
Golson5 said:
How is him being a candidate and someone saying they have inside info that Lea is gone from inside the ND building the same to you?? Can you not follow along? Pay attention to what is being said or try to comprehend better.

You think I'm supposed to buy some internet guy saying he knows Lea is officially gone because he knows people inside Notre Dame? Not buying his story.

I am buying Lea as a legit candidate for Vanderbilt.

2 different things. Try to keep up
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Nice backpedal. Your initial was response was the 15th post in the thread, generic and did not specifically address the post that someone inside ND said the deal was done.
 
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Harpo Marxist said:
The situation at Vandy is quite toxic right now....with players revolting. Apparently there are two factions: one who are upset the coach was fired...and the other humiliated by the publicity stunt. The official party line that COVID is the reason for the cancellation is being floated...but many not buying it.

The next coach at Vandy will have to start from the beginning and build a brand new team. That will be a steep climb.
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A difficult job even in ideal circumstances.
 
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