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Notre Dame Football: 3 realistic candidates to replace Clark Lea

By Connor Muldowney

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman high fives Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) as he comes off the field following a special teams play in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against the Army Black Knights, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats won 24-10.Army Black Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Sept 26
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman high fives Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) as he comes off the field following a special teams play in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against the Army Black Knights, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats won 24-10.Army Black Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Sept 26 /
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Clark Lea is headed to Vanderbilt to be the next head coach and Notre Dame football is now searching for his replacement. Who could it be?

Notre Dame is fresh off a crushing loss in the Rose Bowl which happened to be a playoff semifinal game against Alabama. The Irish hung with the Tide for over two quarters but a turnover by Ian Book in the third really crushed any hopes of a comeback.

With the loss, the tenure of Clark Lea as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator also comes to an end. He accepted the head coaching job at Vanderbilt and now the Irish will be tasked with replacing him which won’t be easy.

Fans might be hoping for a home-run hire, but that’s not always realistic.

Who has to be considered the most realistic candidates to replace Lea?

3. Jon Heacock, DC, Iowa State

This might be the safest pick for Notre Dame if it wants to make a splash while still getting a guy who would almost surely keep the Irish near the top of college football in the defensive ranks.

Jon Heacock has been all around and lately he’s been praised for being one of the best defensive coordinators in college football who no one talks about. He’s excelled in a Big 12 that has been known for offense and his defenses have held teams like Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and West Virginia in check — and that’s just this season.

Heacock’s Cyclones earned a trip to the Fiesta Bowl this season and you don’t often hear those words muttered about Iowa State football, but his defense has been a huge reason for the success.

There’s been talk of Heacock eying bigger jobs so Notre Dame would be a good fit. Would he leave Matt Campbell and a surging Iowa State program, however?

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