Michigan coaching search: ESPN's Pete Thamel labels Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea a 'wonderful fit' for Wolverines

After two seasons at the helm, Sherrone Moore was officially fired as Michigan‘s head coach Wednesday night with cause. Moore succeeded former head coach Jim Harbaugh following his departure for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and led the Wolverines to a 16-8 record in the full-time role.

On3 confirmed that Wolverines players were abruptly called for a team meeting on Wednesday, where they learned of the news. Michigan AD Warde Manuel then announced the decision was for cause after a university investigation found “credible evidence that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member” in a statement.

The University will have to move fast to find a replacement, as the NCAA Transfer Portal opens on Jan. 2. As the search begins, ESPN‘s Pete Thamel joined Thursday afternoon’s edition of ‘The Pat McAfee Show‘ to discuss the situation. Near the end of the hit, Thamel floated Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea as a potential ‘wonderful fit’ for Michigan.

“A coach that just got extended could end up being a viable candidate,” Thamel said. “I didn’t mention Clark Lea last time. Clark Lea, from a fit perspective from how Michigan views itself, would be a wonderful fit at Michigan. He’s obviously been at Notre Dame and has deep ties to the upper Midwest. That type of move, where someone who has signed an extension and could maybe still go, is more viable than a guy like (Jon) Sumrall or (Matt) Campbell.”

Clark Lea shut down job opening rumors prior to inking extension

As Thamel mentioned, Lea signed a six-year extension with Vanderbilt on Nov. 28, with a promise of “a significant salary increase” and “numerous assets” for his staff and facilities to ensure the program’s continued rise. Lea, whose name was floated as a potential candidate at openings such as Penn State and Florida, shut down the possibility of jumping schools just days before putting pen to paper.

“Look, it’s what makes our game so special, is so many people are invested in it. They care so much about it,” Lea said on the Nov. 21 edition of ‘The Paul Finebaum Show‘. “The head coaches become figureheads and they become thumbpieces to judge when it’s not going well and kind of crown when it is going well. I appreciate the interest and the intrigue, I think, in general. I love being a part of something that will move people to a point of emotion that way. The carousel’s not something you buy a ticket to. So, you’re thrust on that thing whether you want to or not.

“This has been said a million times but when your program’s having success, there’s going to be interest taken in that. This has always been about building a championship program here, how you build something that’s sustainable. I think we’re in a great moment now. This moment, we need to leverage the momentum and take it somewhere where it can really be special. That’s where our focus has been.”

Vanderbilt is seeking first ever 11-win season under Lea

Lea has done a wonderful job in changing the entire perspective of the Vanderbilt football program. He inherited the program in 2021, after it had compiled a 27-56 record in the previous seven seasons under Derek Mason. Following three rough building years from 2021-2023, Lea led the ‘Dores to a 7-6 record last season and their first bowl game appearance since 2018.

This season was even better, as Vanderbilt finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, its first 10-win season in program history. The Commodores finished just outside of the College Football Playoff and have a chance to notch their first-ever 11-win campaign with a victory over Iowa in the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl.

The Nashville native and Vanderbilt alum did previously serve on Notre Dame‘s staff from 2017-2020, which has led to many tabbing him as a potential candidate at rival Michigan. With increased funding and strong recruiting wins, however (such as On3 FiveStar+ quarterback Jared Curtis), it will surely take a lot to lure Lea from the Music City.