Yes, a head coach is extremely important to any collegiate football programs, but just as important are the assistant, who typically work closer with position groups and specific players. Having dependable assistants are keys to success and Brian Kelly has hit a home run when he hired Clark Lea in 2017.
Barton Simmons of 247Sports recently ranked the best assistants in the country assistants in the country and Clark Lea was among the group named. Simmons has some very high praise for the Irish’s Defensive Coordinator as he has taken the defense to another level since his elevation from linebackers’ coach.
Simmons noted that Lea has helped the defense rate with the best in the nation as they “continued up to No. 14 in 2018 and climbed to No. 8 last season. In particular, Notre Dame has been one of the top programs in the nation in pass defense each of the last two years and Lea has shown a penchant for fantastic in-game adjustments.”
Lea will have his work cut out for him this coming season as the Irish return only a few players with staring experience. If Lea is able to keep the Irish’s defensive rating close to where it has been the last few years, then he will more than earn this recognition that Simmons has given Lea.