Clark Lea signs extension with Vanderbilt, 5-star+ QB predicted to flip to 'Dores

As the coaching carousel spins, one hot name is removing himself from consideration. Clark Lea signed an extension with Vanderbilt, the school announced this morning. Pete Thamel reports it’s a six-year extension with “a significant salary increase” and “numerous assets” for his staff and facilities to ensure the program’s continued rise.

Vanderbilt is 9-2, 5-2 in the SEC, in Lea’s fifth season. The Commodores are still in the conversation for the College Football Playoff, ranked No. 14 in the latest rankings, and finish the regular season at No. 19 Tennessee tomorrow. If last week’s 45-17 win over Kentucky was any indication, they won’t hold back in Knoxville. Heisman candidate Diego Pavia had a record-setting day vs. the Cats, scoring six touchdowns and throwing for 484 yards, the most by an opposing quarterback vs. Kentucky since Peyton Manning in 1997.

Lea is a Nashville native and Vanderbilt alum. He’s clearly devoted to his alma mater, but with several high-profile jobs open, including Florida, LSU, and Auburn, Vanderbilt didn’t hesitate to open the checkbook. Last year, Vanderbilt went to a bowl for the first time since 2018. This year will mark the first time since 2013 the ‘Dores have had back-to-back seven-win seasons.

“I am excited to be able to continue the work we started at Vanderbilt five years ago. Throughout the process of working through this extension, I have been overwhelmed with two feelings,” Lea said. “First, a sense of pride in the culture and environment we have established at Vanderbilt. Second, a sense of clarity that the work is not complete. This next phase of the program build will introduce many exciting things, including facility upgrades and needed resources for our staff and team. These investments will go a long way in ensuring our program can level up. I am grateful to have leadership from Chancellor Diermeier and Vice Chancellor Lee, who clear the way for our success. Our vision has never been about one or two seasons, rather, it has always been about sustained success at a championship level. I am thrilled to be able to continue the mission, and I appreciate all the support from Commodore Nation and our Nashville community.”

Diego Pavia’s time at Vanderbilt is coming to an end, but the ‘Dores may have his replacement. Steve Wiltfong just logged a prediction for Vandy to flip five-star-plus quarterback Jared Curtis, who is currently committed to Georgia. Curtis is from Nashville, but a five-star prospect eschewing a perennial power like Georgia for Vanderbilt is still eye-opening. Signing Day is Wednesday, Dec. 3.

FONG BOMB: Rivals’ @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Vanderbilt to flip Georgia Five-Star Plus+ QB commit Jared Curtis⚓️

Read: https://t.co/PJI8EduzFk https://t.co/WcspT4pzCh pic.twitter.com/godH9hFxaV

— Rivals (@Rivals) November 28, 2025

A renovated (and rowdy) stadium, a six-year extension for Lea that includes resources to set the ‘Dores up for success, and now, potentially a five-star quarterback? Pavia may be leaving, but Vanderbilt Football isn’t going anywhere.