Skip to main content
Join Now
Get a profile. Be recruited.

Clark Lea weighs in on Brian Kelly's departure from Notre Dame

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz12/03/21NickSchultz_7
vanderbilt-commodores-post-spring-stock-report
Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea signed one of the best recruiting classes in school history, headlined by freshman QB AJ Swann. (Photo courtesy of James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Clark Lea worked alongside Brian Kelly at Notre Dame from 2017-20. Now the Vanderbilt head coach, Lea gave his thoughts on Kelly’s decision to leave the Fighting Irish for LSU.

Lea was the linebackers coach at Notre Dame in 2017 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018. He took the Vanderbilt job this year, opening the door for Marcus Freeman to come in as Fighting Irish defensive coordinator.

Freeman is officially replacing Kelly as head coach, the school announced Friday. Lea spoke about Kelly on Friday and how excited he is for his former boss at LSU.

He also addressed that viral video of Kelly’s newfound southern accent.

“Adapting his accent will be a part of his success,” Lea said.

Vanderbilt had a rough go in Lea’s first year at Vanderbilt, going 2-10 overall and 0-8 in SEC play.

Marcus Freeman officially named Notre Dame head coach

Marcus Freeman is officially the newest coach at Notre Dame, and he will coach the Irish in their upcoming bowl game. The school made the announcement on Friday morning.

Freeman, who is just 35 years old, is the 30th head coach in South Bend and takes over an 11-1 program with national championship aspirations in the coming years.

“It is an honor to be named the head coach of Notre Dame Football,” Freeman said in a statement. “I am eternally grateful to both Father John Jenkins and Jack Swarbrick for giving me the opportunity to lead the exceptional men who make this program what it is. Notre Dame is a very special place and I look forward to pursuing a national championship with the most outstanding student-athletes, coaches and staff in college football.”

Freeman spent four seasons at Cincinnati as their defensive coordinator from 2017-2020 where he led one of the nation’s top defenses. He has continued that streak of excellence at Notre Dame, as the Irish have allowed just 18.3 points per game this season. They are one sack shy of the Notre Dame single-season record of 41 sacks, set in 1996. His quick success and leadership style in his first year drew athletic director Jack Swarbrick to him for the job.

“Marcus’ ability to connect with people, his fit at Notre Dame and the way he coaches young men set him apart as we went through our search process,” Swarbrick said. “I can’t wait to see how the culture created by these remarkable student-athletes continues to grow under the tutelage of Marcus and his staff.”