Vanderbilt Extends Clark Lea Through 2029

Vanderbilt has locked in head football coach Clark Lea through 2029.

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SEC Media Days are underway here in Nashville, and Music City’s very own Vanderbilt Commodores have made some noise this week by announcing that they have extended head football coach Clark Lea through the 2029 season. That’s right – after a surprising 5-7 season that made me a nice little sum of money because I took the over on the preseason win total of 2.5, Lea is locked in to do his thing for six more years. Never a doubt, if you ask me.

Per Vanderbilt’s press release…like…literally them…they’re the source:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Entering his third season at the helm of his alma mater, Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea has signed a contract extension to remain in his native Nashville. Athletics director Candice Storey Lee announced the extension on Monday.

“I’m thrilled with our football program’s development on and off of the field under Clark Lea’s leadership,” Lee said. “He is relentless in his commitment to build a foundation that yields sustainable success. He approaches each day with the pride of an alumnus who personally understands the opportunity that lies before us, and the determination of a coach and leader who has the vision to fulfill it. Coach Lea shares our desire to be great at everything we do. I’m excited to see what comes next for this program and gratified Coach Lea will continue leading the way.”

I love the energy. Isn’t SEC Media Days just simply magical? You never know what you’re going to get. Someone might say something stupid. There might be some big news drop just in time for the involved parties to hit the podium. I would imagine this is going to make Lea’s press conference a little more sought after.

As for why the extension now, well…if you didn’t know, winning five games and upsetting a Florida Gators team that was helmed by the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, and beating a solid Kentucky Wildcats team, getting their first SEC win in three seasons…that’ll do it, man. That. Will. Do. It. For me, it comes down to two things. For one, Vanderbilt is playing the long game. If they’re truly going to be competitive in SEC football, it takes time, upgrades to the facility, and a chance to really instill a culture there and let it grow. Two, the way this team fought down the stretch shows the impact that Lea has had on the attitude surrounding the program. They were feisty – hell, four more points against Mizzou, and we’re talking about one of the biggest surprise bowl teams in a long time.

So, good for Clark Lea. This year is going to be a challenge. I’m a big fan of Will Sheppard and Jayden McGowan. AJ Swann is an emerging quarterback in the SEC, and he has some weapons on offense. The offensive line is going to be more experienced. If they can just shore up their susceptibility to big plays on defense, they should make strides once again. I don’t know that there are six wins on the schedule, but if Lea can get this roster to a bowl game, they might extend him for three more years next summer. If I’m a Vanderbilt fan, I think I’m happy about this one.

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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.

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