Football
Lea, Clark
Clark Lea
- Title:
- Linebackers Coach
- Email:
- cdlea@syr.edu
- Phone:
- 6731
| Coaching Experience | |||
| 2013-15 | Linebackers | Syracuse | |
| 2012 | Linebackers | Bowling Green | |
| 2009-11 | Linebackers | UCLA | |
| 2007-08 | Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator | South Dakota State | |
| 2006 | Graduate Assistant (Linebackers) | UCLA | |
| 2005 | Defensive Intern (Defensive Line) | UCLA | |
| 2005 | Graduate Assistant (Offense) | Vanderbilt | |
| Coaching Accomplishments |
| Has mentored one All-American and six all-conference selections, including Marquis Spruill and Cameron Lynch at Syracuse. Spruill was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. |
| The 2014 Orange defense held nine of its 12 opponents to less than its season average for total offense and was one of four FBS teams to surrender fewer than 10 rushing touchdowns (9). Alabama (5), TCU (9) and Ole Miss (9) were the others. |
| In 2014, the SU defense was responsible for four touchdowns (2 INT returns, 2 fumble returns), including two in the team’s win at Wake Forest. |
| In 2013, the Syracuse defense finished ranked nationally in multiple categories, including third-down defense (15th), rush defense (24th), sacks (18th), and tackles for loss (18th). |
| In 2012, the Bowling Green defense ranked ranked in the top nationally in pass defense (7th), scoring defense (9th), and third-down defense (6th). |
| In 2012, the Bowling Green defense led the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in nine statistical categories. |
| 2012 FootballScoop.com Linebackers Coach of the Year finalist. |
| In 2009, the UCLA defense ranked third in the Pac-10. |
| In 2006, the UCLA defense ranked ninth nationally in rush defense, sixth in sacks, and fifth in tackles for loss. |
| Playing Accomplishments |
| Member of the 2001 Birmingham-Southern College baseball team that won the NAIA World Series. |
| Baseball letterwinner at Belmont University (2002). |
| Three-year football letterwinner at Vanderbilt (2002-04). |
| All-SEC Academic Team selection in 2003 and 2004. |
| Finalist for the 2005 John Wooden Cup. |
| 2005 H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. |
| Championships and Bowl Games as a Coach |
| 2013 Texas Bowl Champions, Syracuse |
| 2012 Military Bowl, Bowling Green |
| 2011 Pac-12 South Champions, UCLA |
| 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, UCLA |
| 2009 Eagle Bowl Champions, UCLA |
| 2007 Great West Conference Champions, South Dakota State |
| 2006 Emerald Bowl, UCLA |
| 2005 Sun Bowl Champions, UCLA |
| Prominent Players Coached | ||
| Name | Team | Accomplishments |
| Dyshawn Davis | Syracuse | 2015 Washington Redskins free-agent signee |
| Cameron Lynch | Syracuse | 2015 St. Louis Rams free-agent signee |
| Marquis Spruill | Syracuse | 2014 NFL fifth-round draft choice, Atlanta Falcons |
| Dwayne Woods | Bowling Green | 2013 Cincinnati Bengals free-agent signee |
| Gabe Martin | Bowling Green | 2015 Arizona Cardinals free-agent signee |
| DJ Lynch | Bowling Green | 2015 New England Patriots free-agent signee |
| Eric Kendricks | UCLA | 2015 NFL second-round draft choice, Minnesota Vikings; 2015 Butkus Award winner |
| Akeem Ayers | UCLA | 2011 NFL second-round draft choice, Tennessee Titans; 2010 Walter Camp Second Team All-American; 2010 Butkus Award finalist |
| Kyle Bosworth | UCLA | 2010 Jacksonville Jaguars free-agent signee |
| Reggie Carter | UCLA | 2010 Seattle Seahawks free-agent signee |
| Jordan Zumwalt | UCLA | 2014 NFL third-round draft choice, Pittsburgh Steelers; 2010 Pac-10 All-Freshman Team |
| Derek Domino | South Dakota State | 2010 Denver Broncos free-agent signee |
| Chris Johnson | South Dakota State | 2010 Chicago Bears free-agent signee |
| Education |
| Graduate of the Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tenn. |
| Vanderbilt University '04 (political science), MS '07 (political science) |
| Personal |
| Lea is a native of Nashville, Tenn. |
| He and his wife, Allison, have a son, Clark III, and a daughter, Mara. |
Players Press Conference vs. Colgate
Friday, September 12
Syracuse Football Postgame Press Conference
Friday, September 12
Fran Brown Postgame Press Conference vs. Colgate
Friday, September 12
Highlights | Syracuse vs. Colgate
Friday, September 12
