Last season was all about redemption for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Let’s be real: who would’ve thought a team that used to struggle in the trenches would not only win a bowl game but also take down Alabama? It wasn’t just the players, though. All thanks to Clark Lea’s defensive play calling, which kept their hopes alive. After all, it’s all because of Lea, who made Alabama’s offense stall most of the first half. But that’s old news; Lea’s tackling bigger challenges and succeeding.

Clark Lea faced a challenging season at Vanderbilt, juggling the roles of head coach and defensive coordinator. This dual responsibility led to improvements in the team’s performance but also stretched him thin. As Vandy is up for the highly anticipated 2025 season, Lea has chosen to step away from defensive play-calling and concentrate solely on his duties as head coach.

Reflecting on the past year, Lea acknowledged the toll it took on Clark Lea, as he says, “Inevitably, my attention is divided, and it needs to be as the head coach. I think I did a good job a year ago of really submerging and really just focusing on the granular details of the defense. But I think there’s a real need for me to be able to look back up and be the head coach… because there are other responsibilities I have that make this program run, that if I get too bogged down with some of that, what I’m going to end up doing is grinding myself into dust.”

Look, Vanderbilt’s defense had been leaking oils for years, and Clark Lea decided to take matters into his own hands. Tired of consistently ranking last in the SEC for yards per play and scoring defense, he assumed full control in 2024. Balancing the responsibilities of overseeing the entire program while fixing the broken defense was a challenging task. To lighten the load, Lea brought in Steve Gregory, a former colleague from his time at Syracuse and then Miami Dolphins safeties coach.

So, Gregory initially served as the associate defensive coordinator and secondary coach, but his role expanded over time. While Clark Lea focused on third-down defense and play-calling, Gregory took on more of the weekly preparation duties. The outcome? A transformed defense that no longer played matador against SEC offenses. Vanderbilt made significant progress, improving their points allowed ranking from a dismal No. 129 nationally to a respectable No. 49. Even the run defense, previously weak, strengthened to No. 52 in the country.

The turning point came when Vanderbilt triumphed over Auburn with a score of 17-7, marking the lowest points allowed to an SEC opponent in almost ten years. It was evident that Gregory had a significant impact on the defensive transformation. With the defense now performing at an SEC level, Lea made the decision for Gregory to take over full-time in 2025, which will allow him to focus on leading the entire program.

Well, Clark Lea didn’t just stop there. To keep the momentum rolling, he made definite additions to the team. By getting in veteran defensive mind Bob Shoop as a senior analyst. With Gregory calling the shots and Shoop adding his wisdom, Vanderbilt’s defense might finally stop being the league’s punching bag. And let’s just say it’s Vanderbilt’s time to make major moves.

Diego Pavia making Clark Lea-like bold decision

Looks like Clark Lea isn’t the only one with big plans, his golden boy Diego Pavia is too. Pavia’s hooking up with AthleteZ PR to handle his NIL brand as he heads into his final season. Following a record-breaking season and bowl victory, Pavia’s going big with this move. “This past year has definitely been a whirlwind for me, and I am blessed for another season with my teammates at Vanderbilt,” Pavia said. He clarified that football and academics remain his top priorities, but developing his personal brand is also key to his expansion plans.

Pavia’s NIL portfolio has been steadily growing, and with the assistance of AthleteZ PR, he is now aiming for even greater opportunities. While he has previously partnered with brands such as Raising Cane’s and Slim Chickens, this new collaboration opens doors to more high-profile partnerships as he further establishes his off-field empire. Following his viral success over Alabama last season, Pavia has demonstrated that he is not only an exceptional athlete but also a personality that resonates with brands.

This decision to partner with AthleteZ PR is a strategic move to elevate his marketability to the next level. Even AthleteZ founder Megan Curry confirms it, saying, “We designed AthleteZ specifically to move the Name, Image, and Likeness era forward; there is no better student-athlete to collaborate with than Diego, a polarizing force both on and off the field.” Now, his upcoming final season at Vanderbilt, scheduled to begin in August, promises to be one to watch, not only for his on-field performance but also for the brand he is shaping for his future.