Vanderbilt HC Clark Lea from Tampa at SEC Media Days| Mac and Cube

Summary

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Podcast Summary: McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning

Episode Title: Vanderbilt HC Clark Lea from Tampa at SEC Media Days
Date: July 21, 2026
Guests: Clark Lea (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)
Main Theme: State of the Vanderbilt Football Program & 2026 Season Outlook

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Episode Overview

Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic connect live from SEC Media Days in Tampa and sit down with Vanderbilt Head Football Coach Clark Lea. The conversation covers quarterback competition, offensive transitions, the underrated value of Vanderbilt’s running backs (especially Cedric Alexander), evolution in coaching philosophy, defensive experience, and team chemistry. Lea reflects on lessons learned, expectations for the new season, and foundational values guiding the program.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Competition and Offensive Direction

Timestamps: 00:02–02:06

• Quarterback Battle:

  • Coach Lea confirms that Vanderbilt’s quarterback situation is under close evaluation, with competition ongoing and a focus on narrowing options during training camp.
  • He emphasizes the importance of establishing chemistry within the offensive unit before naming a starter, aiming for clarity post the first training camp scrimmage.
  • Quote (Clark Lea, 00:44):
    “We want to put the best possible product on the field...and a part of that is how these guys work together, the chemistry they build.”

• Diego’s Legacy & Offensive Evolution:

  • The hosts praise previous QB Diego for his intangibles, particularly his ability to manipulate defenses, make sound decisions post-snap, avoid turnovers, and elevate teammates.
  • Coach Lea notes that Diego’s play made Vanderbilt’s offense highly adaptable—shifting from a run-heavy, option-style attack in 2024 to a pass-centric look in 2025.
  • The coaching staff, led by OC Tim Beck, is credited for system flexibility.
  • Quote (Clark Lea, 02:27):
    “We have a system—as we’ve shown from ’24 to ’25—that can adjust and adapt with the person taking the snaps.”

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2. The Running Game & Spotlight on Cedric Alexander

Timestamps: 03:17–05:35

• Returning Talent in the Backfield:

  • Both Cedric Alexander (“Seti”) and McKaylen Young logged significant carries last year and are expected to provide a steadying presence, especially with a new or young QB.
  • Coach Lea stresses a holistic team approach that leverages strengths across the roster, especially focusing on running the ball and winning at the line of scrimmage.
  • Quote (Clark Lea, 03:53):
    “Let’s strengthen the 10 positions around [the QB] and let’s make sure that quarterback can lead those guys down the field.”

• Alexander’s Underrated Impact:

  • The hosts repeatedly call Cedric Alexander “the most underrated player in the league,” highlighting his toughness, versatility, and a pivotal blitz pickup in a crucial game.
  • The coaches and hosts agree that Alexander exemplifies the team’s grit and is poised for an even bigger role as the offense’s production shifts.
  • Memorable Moment (05:04):
    “[Alexander] tees off on...Anthony Hill Jr., one of the best linebackers in the league, knocks him on his ass.” – Host
  • Quote (Clark Lea, 05:35):
    “...I think he’s an undervalued player. I think last year with Diego’s production, a lot of the offense ran through him. This year...there’s a lot of opportunity for us to be talking about the Vanderbilt backfield.”

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3. Program Philosophy & Evolution

Timestamps: 06:12–08:08

• Coaching Adaptation & Team Identity:

  • Coach Lea reflects on how every team requires a unique approach, especially with the impact of the transfer portal and integrating players with different backgrounds.
  • He is transparent about learning and adjusting from year to year, remaining focused on building team connectivity and shared identity.
  • Quote (Clark Lea, 06:43):
    “Every team’s different...and I have to constantly evolve the way I’m interacting with the team, what I’m seeing, what I’m paying attention to.”

• Aspirations & Long-term Vision:

  • Coach Lea reiterates Vanderbilt’s long-term goal of building the best football program in the country.
  • He clarifies that last year wasn’t a “defining moment,” but part of a broader process of constant improvement.

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4. Defensive Experience & Confidence

Timestamps: 08:08–09:24

• Defensive Play Calling & Depth:
  • Now in his third year as play-caller, Coach Lea’s comfort and experience is helping to create a cohesive defensive unit.
  • He highlights that this is Vanderbilt’s most experienced team in terms of in-game snaps, even if there’s less star power.
  • Steve Gregory, defensive coordinator, is acknowledged for his role in further developing the unit.
  • Emphasis shifts to defense and special teams as key elements to support overall team success.
  • Quote (Clark Lea, 08:36):
    “This is the most experienced team that we’ve fielded at Vanderbilt… in terms of snap experience, this is the group.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On building offensive chemistry before naming a QB:
  “Once we’re able to kind of hang our hat on something, we go with it and start to build the offense out.” – Clark Lea (00:58)

• On Cedric Alexander’s importance:
  “There’s going to be a day...I don’t tell you Cedric Alexander is the most underrated player in the league.” – Host (04:32)

• On the program’s philosophy:
  “Just like every year, there’s going be a lot to learn from this experience...this is about how we continue to aim towards the lofty goals we set five, six years ago.” – Clark Lea (07:31)

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Selected Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:21: Clark Lea outlines QB competition process
• 02:06: Discussion of Diego’s impact and offensive evolution
• 03:35: Building around a strong run game and other team strengths
• 04:32: Cedric Alexander’s unheralded contributions highlighted
• 06:12: Lea discusses program evolution and self-reflection
• 08:08: Defensive experience and coaching confidence

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Tone and Language

Coach Lea’s approach is thoughtful, methodical, and team-focused, emphasizing growth, adaptability, humility, and the importance of building from within. The hosts balance expertise with enthusiasm, bringing energy and admiration for the players’ character and development.

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Summary prepared by Podcast Summarizer AI, July 2026.

Transcript

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

Welcome back in McElroy and Kubelik in the morning. SEC media day's day two. Going to go right to Clarkley, Vanderbilt head football coach. Let's just get quarterback out of the way. Where is the competition? How much competition? We all know about Jared Curtis, five star big time recruit. Where is your quarterback competition as you enter fall camp?

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

You know, it's, we've, without going too far into it, you know, we've done evaluating through spring and summer. I think we've kind of narrowed down where our focus is going to be into training camp. And we hope, we hope coming out of the first scrimmage in training camp that we'll have an idea and be able to say this is who it is. One of the things that going through all this has become so clear is you have to get to a point where you're developing chemistry with an offensive unit and that's only fair to everybody. Now we'll take as long as we need to take and whether we announce a starter or not, you know that, sure, that's. But what we want to do is put the best possible product on the field that we can to win games. What we also want to do or acknowledge that's a part of that is how these guys work together, the chemistry they build. And so hopefully we're pretty surgical with it through training camp and once we're able to kind of hang our hat on something, we go with it and start to build the offense out.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

I imagine the hardest part and we, Greg and I, us who cover college football have covered. You guys tried to explain to people, Diego was a bulldog, he was tough, he was a competitor, he lifted the level of his teammates. But he manipulated things on offense as well or better than any quarterback I've seen. I mean, he would ride those fakes, he would put his eyes somewhere that you didn't know. He knew when to pull the ball down and run. He knew when to make a cut and not try to extend a play. Maybe his best attribute, he would throw the ball away and live to survive another play. That takes reps to do that, especially in Tim's offense. You have a great offensive coordinator that doesn't get enough credit, but you got to work those fakes, you got to see those reads. You have to know when to pull the ball, when to get out, when to pitch the ball. And it's just that takes time.

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

It's hard, you know, with Diego. I mean, if you look at us in 24 and the way we were able to find breakthrough in that Season, we were almost like an option team. I mean, there was just so much quarterback run involved. And then last year we evolved to really put the ball in the air and we threw it as good as anyone. I mean, you know, I really. Diego's post snap decisions, his, you know, the way he avoids turnover, as you mentioned, throwing the ball away, just making good decisions. But, you know, it's hard for us sometimes to stay on schedule and practice because we're in past shell and this dude takes every second off the play clock because he's that competitive and that's how he sees the game. You know, he wants to know where the rotations are, to know where the dead space is to make the completion. You can't replace that experience. But I think we have a system, as we've shown from 24 to 25, that can adjust and adapt with the person that's taking the snaps. And, you know, whoever that is will have their own strengths and we'll have the ability to display those strengths. And that, as you said, created credit goes to Tim Beck for that. I mean, he's as good as I've ever been around.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

Another thing Diego did for you. I was looking at some numbers the other day and, you know, Cedric Alexander is my guy. I was like, he had 105 carries last year and then I couldn't believe McKaylen Young had 46 carries. There's a lot of tread on the tires for those guys. And you're going to be able to lean on them, specifically early in the season if you do have a younger quarterback.

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

Yeah. So the quarterback is obviously a big story, and I get that. I think. I think my answer to that is there are a lot of ways our team can strengthen and take shape that don't include that position. So how the defense performs on third down, you know, ways that we get off the field, create more possessions for the offense, how we perform in our punt return unit. We've been really strong on special teams, but that unit took a step back. Martell Heights, a dynamic returner. How do we get him going so we can improve field position? Then offensively, you know, the starting point is going to be that run game. And if we can get that established, if we can win the line of scrimmage, which in our league is everything, as you know, then I think we make the life easier. Whoever that is that's taking the snap and that's the goal. Let's strengthen the 10 positions around them and let's make sure that quarterback can lead those guys down the field. Organize the offense in a way that allows us to score points and win games. That's what we're trying to do.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

There's going to be a day. This is my goal for this year. There's going to be a day that you and I have a conversation and I don't tell you Cedric Alexander is the most underrated player in the league. One day, coach, people are going to open their eyes and be like, hold on. I saw this kid decleet a linebacker in his own end zone in Austin.

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

That's so funny you bring that up too, because that. As you were, as you were talking about seti, I thought I've got to bring that play up because I think that play represents a lot about our program, but certainly represents a lot about him. That was fourth and 18 from the minus two.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

And he doesn't complete that pass.

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

No.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

Without that pickup. On a blitz where he comes across the line of scrimmage, tees off on one of the best. Anthony Hill Jr. One of the best linebackers in the league, knocks him on his ass and he can. He'll catch the ball out of the backfield. He can shake you in the open field. He loves to put his hat down and try to run over you. Inside, outside. And I've heard you talk about him as a young man in the facility too. There will come a time, it might be media days next year that we're like, hold on. This kid can actually play like he is one of the. I think he's one of the better football players all around in the league and I just, I'm glad he's here today because no one talks about him.

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

I appreciate you putting shine on him because he deserves it. Keep in mind too, that, you know, said he started with us in 23, so he, he's been through some of the tough parts of this with us and I always appreciate that. In fact, Junior Sheryl's here. Issawattara is here too. Those guys all have been with us since 22 or 23. So a ton of respect for Setty. I agree. I think he's an undervalued player. I think last year with Diego's production, a lot of the offense ran through him. I think this year, both with SETI and mk, there's a lot of opportunity for us to be talking about the Vanderbilt backfield, which I think is really cool.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

One of the core things about you, and you've been very open with it over time, is philosophically how you've shifted where you've gone and A lot of times you've been honest with us that these are things I need to take away from my approach or how we did things or how we operated. Has there been sort of a rebirth or a reshift or a different mindset towards certain things inside the program this offseason than there has been the last few?

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

Every team's different, you know, and every team has to write its own story. So I think what I have to do is constantly evolve, you know, the way I'm interacting with the team, what I'm seeing, what I'm paying attention to. In the era of transfer portal, you're taking on people that have had a lot of snap experience outside of your program, and how quickly can you get them adjusted and adapted to playing Vanderbilt football? And I think you would agree, I hope you would agree that that is a certain specific thing. The way our team plays, the way we approach the game, the relatedness and connectedness on the field. And so obviously there's some glaring questions that we have to answer. And I'll learn a lot about going through, you know, this, this transitional phase, going from one quarterback to the next, and, you know, that'll be what comes out of this experience. But what I'm really interested in is how this program as a whole comes into focus. And you know what? I know going through spring and summer with this group, winter, spring, summer, where we need to kind of point over our attention, going through training camp to strengthen and to be ready for Austin Peay. That's where I'm focused now. Just like every year, there's going to be a lot to learn from this experience. But I can tell you last season was not an arrival, you know, nor was it a defining moment. This is about how we continue to aim towards the lofty goals we set five, six years ago, where we were wanting to build the best football program in the country. That's still true.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

You mentioned connectivity also, and you juggled play calling defensively for a couple years, then you take that back over. We saw in the field how it looked and looked different. I feel like this year you have to have some confidence with the connectivity because you're back as the play caller. Obviously, you've been doing it now for a few more years, and you're just loaded with vets on that side of the ball, just guys that have played it. May you lack star power that some of your other groups have had, but you got guys at almost every spot that'll play a lot of football for you.

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

This is the most experienced team that we've, we've fielded at Vanderbilt. And I think sometimes because a lot of the attention is focused on what has left the program, that's kind of not, not talked about, you know. So in terms of snap experience, this is the group and defensively, you know, obviously there are tons, there are a ton of people that, that bring great experience and also have proven the ability to play in the sec. So can we cover better? Can we impact the passer better? Steve Gregory, the defense coordinator who's done a great job, continues to evolve in that role, too. And I'm excited to see how that group supports winning this fall. I think there's room for them to become a bigger part of the story. Obviously, last year the story was about the offense. That's what that team needed. We're going to need. We need to tell a different story this year. Absolutely.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

Thanks for the time, Coach. We love catching up with you, love talking football with you and wish you the best. We'll see you this fall.

[Clark Lee (Vanderbilt Head Football Coach)]

Good to see you.

[Host (McElroy or Kubelik)]

Thank you. Clark Lee, Vanderbilt head coach, joining us here at SEC Media Days, day two. McElroy and Kubelik in the morning live from Media Mania here on Digital Parkway. And we'll be back more hopefully. Going to try to get Byron Brown, Auburn quarterback, see if we can swing him on the show. Next on Mac and Q. Grainger knows

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