Episode 201 of The Hitstreak, a podcast where we talk about anything and everything!
This week we are joined by the Head Coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores Football Team, and the 2024 SEC Coach Of The Year, Coach Clark Lea!
Episode in a Glance:
In this episode of The Hitstreak, I get to sit down with Clark Lea, the head coach of Vanderbilt football, and discuss the journey of building a championship environment in his hometown. We explore the challenges and triumphs of coaching, the significance of community support, and the impact of NIL on college sports. Coach Clark shares personal reflections on leadership, the importance of holistic development in athletes, and his aspirations for the future of the program.
Key Points:
- Building a championship environment leads to inevitable success.
- Community support is crucial for a sports program's growth.
- Holistic development of athletes is a priority.
- The SEC presents unique challenges in college football.
- NIL is reshaping the landscape of college athletics.
- Coaching is about more than just winning games.
- Personal growth is essential for effective leadership.
- The love of the game should come before material gains.
- Communication is key in building a strong team culture.
- Success is a journey that requires endurance and commitment.
About our guest:
Clark Lea, the 2024 SEC Coach of the Year, enters his fifth season as head coach at his alma mater, Vanderbilt. In 2024, he led the Commodores to their first bowl win and first winning season in over a decade, earning national recognition with wins over the top-ranked team and at Auburn for the first time ever. Under Lea, Vandy had its most All-SEC picks since 2013 and its best defensive scoring average since 2015. Off the field, the team set records for academic honors.
A former defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Lea helped the Irish reach the College Football Playoff twice. He also coached at Wake Forest, Syracuse, Bowling Green, UCLA, and South Dakota State.
A Nashville native, Lea played baseball and football in college and holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Vanderbilt.
Follow and contact:
Instagram: @coachlea_vu | @vandyfootball
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