Vanderbilt has extended head coach Clark Lea, the program announced Monday.
Vanderbilt is scheduled to unofficially kick off the 2023 season on Tuesday as Lea and select players take part in SEC media days.
Monday's announcement included no details -- salary terms or the length of the extension. The Tennessean reported earlier this year that Lea earned $3 million in his debut season of 2021.
Lea, 41, is entering his third season leading his alma mater. After a 2-10 debut, Vanderbilt improved to 5-7 in 2022.
“I’m thrilled with our football program’s development on and off of the field under Clark Lea’s leadership,” AD Candice Storey 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.”
The 2022 season saw Vandy score back-to-back wins over Kentucky and Florida, the 'Dores' first consecutive SEC wins since the 2018 campaign.
“Vanderbilt is home, it is such an honor for me to lead our football program,” Lea said. “The only way that we accomplish the mission we have set forth for Vanderbilt Football is with the vision and support from Chancellor Diermeier and Candice Lee. To have them acknowledge the progress we’ve made to this point, and to commit to seeing us push further on our journey means everything to me. Like everyone who is a part of our team, I will work to earn it every day, and recognize the great responsibility I have with the incredible opportunity and support I’ve been given. I also want to thank the members of our program, both student-athletes and staff. Their hard work and sacrifice is what allows for progress in our quest to build a program that makes all of Vanderbilt and Nashville proud.”
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update: ESPN reports Lea's extension keeps him under contract through 2029.