Clark Lea Entering ‘Senior Year’ At Notre Dame: Part I
Since receiving his undergraduate degree in political science from Vanderbilt University in 2004, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea has not had a “senior year” in his 15-year coaching career that began as a graduate assistant at UCLA in 2006.
Now that he is in his fourth season at Notre Dame, popular notion has it that he is primed to “graduate” after the 2020 campaign (provided there is one) to begin his inevitable journey as a head coach.
Pragmatic as ever, Lea’s concentration is on the here and now, especially while maintaining only long-distance communication with his defensive troops via Zoom and other technical means.
“This is the longest I’ve been anywhere as a coach,” reflected Lea during a Thursday interview session. “What a lucky break for me to have that, to say that about a place like Notre Dame.”
Hired as the new linebackers coach in 2017 following a 4-8 implosion in 2016, Lea was promoted to defensive coordinator the following year and in his first season saw the unit finish an impressive 16th in defensive efficiency while the Fighting Irish advanced to the College Football Playoff.
Last year, the defense improved to fifth in the Fremeau Efficiency Index during an 11-2 campaign.
Also, 2018-19 marked the first time since 2001-02 Notre Dame permitted less than 20 points per contest for the year in back-to-back seasons. There has been consistency across the board, including ranking among the top five last year in pass efficiency defense and fourth in turnovers forced (28).
“There’s always room until you’re No. 1 in every category to improve,” Lea replied of the defense’s evolution since finishing 65th, 58th and 54th in efficiency from 2014-16, prior to his arrival.
Schemes or tactics can change in specific years based on personnel, but effort and culture must remain constant.
“The No. 1 thing we want to improve every year is just the effort level, swarming to the football,” he said. “Good things happen when you play hard. We’re always looking for another level in that respect.”
Thrive at Notre Dame the way Lea has and suitors will inevitably come calling. Boston College did this winter for its vacated head coaching position before Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley received, and accepted, the job offer over Lea.
Another year of strong achievement at Notre Dame could well land him a head coaching position toward which he is striving. However, such an opportunity must likewise possess a certain appeal.
Former Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco (2010-13) also had a four-year run before hitting a head coaching dead end at Connecticut in just three years.
“I’m not looking for a reason to leave where I am,” Lea said. “I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined being at Notre Dame as a coach, much less be in a position to be a coordinator, much less being here for four years.
“My family is happy here, I love working for Coach [Brian] Kelly, so for me when those things come up and you take a look, I want to be fair to the goals I had when I set out on this career. But I’m not in a rush for that. It’s about focusing on the moment right now, it’s about how to best engage these guys while they’re removed and we’re in virtual interactions.”
Building on the momentum that has resulted in a 33-6 record the past three years, the sixth-best winning percentage in the Football Bowl Subdivision in that span, is where his concentration remains.
“When you work at a place like Notre Dame, the responsibility you have to try to uphold this tradition is enough to keep you busy,” Lea said. “If I focus that way, when the timing is right the right opportunity will come. But until then this is what I want to do.”
That is especially the case with Kelly as his mentor.
“I’ve always been kind of a tunnel-vision guy,” Lea noted. “I can become very obsessed with ‘Hey, I’m the linebacker coach.’ I can spend hours on the technical aspects of playing linebacker or how do we better teach this.
“As a coordinator, your scope becomes bigger. This job was new to me and I had to learn on the run, and Coach Kelly helped me with that … I know that if I handle what I’m doing, those opportunities will come.”
Watching Kelly manage a support staff of more than 50 people and nearly 120 young men ranging in ages from 18 to 23 has awed Lea, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic in which the head coach took the lead at the university when it came to safety precautions and a realistic, measured outlook about the future.
“The one thing I’m able to do is watch a guy do it masterfully every day — even through this,” Lea said. “The way he’s handled this whole situation from a communication aspect, how he’s adapted and changed, the messages that he’s put out, it’s just strengthened our team even as we’re apart.
“I’m proud to be working for him. I’m proud of the way he’s handled it. All this comes down to how do we create the best environment for the players. That’s his singular focus. If you can be strengthened at a time where you have 120 people in different places, I’m proud to be associated with the way the university [handled it].”
Likewise appreciated is the way Kelly was able to re-invent himself after the 2016 debacle and forge ahead with mental toughness and a clear plan.
“The evolution that he’s undergone here late in his career — if we can all apply that,” Lea noted. “Take where I am now and add another 20 years. Am I going to be willing to keep looking at things from a fresh perspective? That is a really great example of someone who’s humble and is continuing to strive toward excellence.
“You have to enjoy who you’re around, and if you don’t then in some way you’re cheating yourself and the experience, even as a coach. It’s fun every day and I think the players feel that.”
Who knows, that might even lead to some graduate-year studies for Lea at Notre Dame.
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