The Vanderbilt Commodores have won just two games in the past two seasons, haven’t won a game in the SEC since 2019, and haven’t had a winning season since James Franklin left the team in 2013. But head coach Clark Lea isn’t letting any of that stand in the way of his absolutely unreasonable confidence.
During his appearance at SEC Media Days on Tuesday afternoon, Lea delivered an extremely optimistic – and perhaps quite a bit delusional – quote that stunned and baffled the college football world.
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea: “We know in time Vanderbilt will be the best football program in the country.”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 19, 2022
“We know in time Vanderbilt will be the best football program in the country,” Lea said, according to college football insider Brett McMurphy.
Keep in mind, Vanderbilt has more losing seasons than winning seasons in its program history, has only even appeared in a bowl game seven times ever, and has had a winning season in the SEC just three times in the past 70 years.
It was an absolutely absurd thing to say and an even more absurd thing to earnestly believe. As a result, the college football world absolutely roasted Lea online for his delusions.
Did Clark Lea just threaten to eliminate every other football program in the country?? https://t.co/3X31m9qSoy
— Ryan DiPentima (@Ryan_DiPentima) July 19, 2022
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea (10 Months Ago) https://t.co/ojGcdt6dNh pic.twitter.com/dJnytCz2sk
— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) July 19, 2022
This could be the most absurd, ridiculous quote I've ever heard in sports.
Vanderbilt's HC, Clark Lea: “We know in time Vanderbilt will be the best football program in the country.”
He really said this. No mistype, or bad source. He actually said this, out loud.
— Cohea (@DaltonCohea5) July 19, 2022
Clark Lea sniffed one too many markers this afternoon. https://t.co/gzM1S1wZiG
— Casey Halpern (@CaseyHalp) July 19, 2022
Is he talking two or three thousand years?
— Steve Helwagen (@SteveHelwagen) July 19, 2022
This surely will not come back to bite him. https://t.co/ZYKubJffYV
— Riley Gates (@Riley_Gates) July 19, 2022
I know in time I will go on a date with Shakira https://t.co/4LNdm7I3nQ
— Travis Rockhold (@TravisRockhold) July 19, 2022
Chasing national titles is every team’s dream, but perhaps Lea should start with a winning season, a bowl game, or even just winning a conference game first.
