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Vanderbilt sacked Derek Mason on Sunday after seven seasons at the helm of the Commodores, likely preventing a top-level defensive coordinator from taking the job. That’s exactly what Mason was when he came to Nashville from Stanford in 2014. Mason, however, was never able to get the offense humming.
The new coach’s profile should address these offensive struggles, but will he? The breaking point for Vanderbilt was a moribund 41-0 loss on Saturday at Missouri. The Commodores need to be open to all options, whether they are coordinators, current head coaches, unemployed coaches, or group of five coaches. That said, Vandy has only hired one seated head coach once in the past 34 years (Bobby Johnson).
More importantly, a coach who accepts this position will accept a risk. He must be able to afford failure. Vanderbilt’s work has been a bottomless pit lately. Who can take the job, get fired in a few years, and maintain the stature they currently have in the industry?
All of these candidates match at least some of these qualities. In no particular order …
Jay Norvell, Nevada coach: For seven years, Norvell was one of Bob Stoops’ most valued assistants in Oklahoma as a co-offensive coordinator. Prior to that he was OC at UCLA and Nebraska. Norvell also has six years of NFL experience. At 57, he has Nevada on its best start (5-1) in 11 years. He would bring the kind of offensive excitement Vandy needs right away. Nevada sophomore quarterback Carson Strong is currently leading Mountain West’s most powerful passing offense.
Clark Lea, Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator: Lea’s name will be attached to this opening until he shoots it down. A former Vanderbilt fullback, Lea has built an elite defense at Notre Dame this season. The unit is 10th nationally in total defense. The Fighting Irish haven’t been as good at defense since 2012. While that doesn’t solve Vanderbilt’s offensive problems, his candidacy should not be questioned.
Curt Cignetti, coach of James Madison: Very successful (81-28 record with the Dukes) in the lower divisions, Cignetti fits the description. He was a quarterback coach at five schools before Nick Saban hired him on his first staff as a catcher’s coach and recruiting coordinator. With him, Saban won his first national championship in Alabama. Cignetti coached Julio Jones and recruited Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. As a head coach, he made James Madison a national powerhouse in FCS.
Sean Lewis, Kent State Coach: Looking for a splash? Lewis – the youngest FBS coach at 34 – is a bit of an offensive marvel in his third season with the Golden Flashes. They lead the country in all-out offense (606.5 yards per game) and are second in offense (49.8 points). The Flashes have just won their first victory in the history of the school. Lewis is a former tight end and quarterback under Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin.
Coastal Carolina Coach Jamey Chadwell: Already on the shortlist of candidates in South Carolina, Chadwell is expected to be part of the mix at Vandy. The Chanticleers are ranked for the first time after previously claiming a spot in the Sun Belt Championship Game. Coastal is tied for the country’s best record at 9-0.
Lance Leipold, Buffalo Coach: In eight seasons at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, Leipold has lost just six games. That’s the same number of national championships he’s won. In Buffalo, he’s 35-32, including a MAC title in 2018. The Bison (4-0) appear to be the MAC’s best team yet this season after a 70-41 victory over Kent State. In that game, running back Jaret Patterson ran for 409 yards, the second-most in FBS history, and tied an FBS record with eight touchdowns. Yes, you might have understood that Leipold has been an attacking coach throughout his career.
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