Clark Lea, Vanderbilt name Steve Gregory defensive coordinator, Nick Lezynski co-defensive coordinator

Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt Commodores are locking in their plan for their defense in 2025, promoting Steve Gregory to be their defensive coordinator, and Nick Lezynski to be their co-defensive coordinator, the team announced on Monday.

“Clark Lea, Vanderbilt’s E. Bronson Ingram Chair in Football, has announced that Steve Gregory has been promoted to the role of defensive coordinator, while Nick Lezynski has been promoted to co-defensive coordinator,” a press release revealed. “Gregory will take charge of the defense following a 2024 campaign which saw Lea serve as his own defensive coordinator.”

Steve Gregory has been elevated to Defensive Coordinator and Nick Lezynski to Co-Defensive Coordinator. pic.twitter.com/3GbmsBYztV

— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) March 3, 2025

This season will be Gregory’s second with the Commodores. Last year, he was the team’s associate defensive coordinator and secondary coach. He has a wealth of experience coaching the defensive side of the football, and he even spent five seasons in the NFL, two with the Miami Dolphins, and three with the Detroit Lions.

Meanwhile, Lezynski is moving into his fourth season at Vanderbilt. Originally, he was hired as the linebackers coach for Vanderbilt, and he was later promoted to defensive run game coordinator in 2023. Now, he’ll be the co-defensive coordinator in Nashville.

Prior to Vanderbilt, Lezynski logged four seasons on staff at Notre Dame, which the press release noted included three years during Lea’s time as defensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish. Lezynski’s resume also includes time at UConn, Lafayette and Holy Cross (Mass.).

Moving forward, the defensive duo will be hoping to bring Vanderbilt sustained success after an impressive 2024 campaign. The Commodores truly took a step forward last season, reaching seven wins and pulling a massive upset over the Alabama Crimson Tide, as well.

Additionally, Vanderbilt got the dub in their bowl game over Georgia Tech, which halted their three-game losing streak to end the regular season. Perhaps they’ll be more consistent in 2025, and hammering down their coaching staff will go a long way towards delivering sustained success this season.

It’ll all start on Aug. 30 for Vanderbilt. The Commodores will face the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in Week 1 in Nashville, a perfect tune-up clash before their schedule heats up. Clark Lea and his assistants will have them ready to roll when the time comes, that’s for sure.