Clark Lea details importance of adding Jordan Matthews to Vanderbilt staff

Vanderbilt announced the return of star former receiver Jordan Matthews last week. Matthews will serve as an offensive consultant on Clark Lea‘s staff.

It will give the Commodores a wealth of knowledge offensively. Matthews is a sharp former standout who enjoyed a record-breaking college career and then a successful 11-year NFL stint.

He wasted no time getting into coaching after his playing days ended. That’s something that drew Lea to him.

“It means a lot. Jordan has had a great football playing career,” Lea said. “He’s, you know, like I consider myself the same kind of psycho. He’s a special kind of psycho that finishes a grinder of a career and jumps right into college coaching. He loves it. He loves it.”

While playing for Vanderbilt, Jordan Matthews set the program record for receiving yards in a single season during the 2013 campaign, going for 1,477. That broke his previous record from 2012 of 1,323 yards.

In four years playing for the Commodores, Jordan Mathews logged 3,759 yards receiving. That mark was the tops in school history and is second in SEC history.

It’s the competitive edge that Lea loves about Matthews, though. He’s always getting after it.

“I appreciate that in him,” Lea said. “I appreciate the fact that when I pull in to do my little workout in the weight room, he’s out on the field running routes still. That’s just who he is. He’s got an infectious spirit, he cares about the development of young people, he’s a good person and he loves football. Loves the game. He’s dedicated his life to it.”

There’s one other element to Jordan Matthews that makes him a perfect fit for Lea’s staff, though. Expect him to move up the ranks quickly.

“Maybe most importantly to me is that he loves Vanderbilt,” Lea said. “And you just can’t put a price on that. He’s a guy that’s lived it in his career, but he comes back because he believes in what this place can be. There’s so many ways that that can have positive impact on what we’re doing and where we’re going, so I’m grateful to have him.”