Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea has received a contract extension, the school announced Monday.

Lea is 7-17 in two seasons at his alma mater, but went 5-7 in 2023. Contract terms were not announced, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting the new deal will take Lea through the 2029 season.

“I’m thrilled with our football program’s development on and off of the field under Clark Lea’s leadership,” athletics director Candace Storey Lee said. “He is relentless in his commitment to build a foundation that yields sustainable success. He approaches each day with the pride of an alumnus who personally understands the opportunity that lies before us, and the determination of a coach and leader who has the vision to fulfill it. Coach Lea shares our desire to be great at everything we do. I’m excited to see what comes next for this program and gratified Coach Lea will continue leading the way.”

Lea, a Nashville native, played fullback at Vanderbilt in 2003-04. He began his college career playing baseball at Birmingham-Southern, which he helped to an NAIA championship as a freshman in 2001.

The 41-year-old Lea returned to Nashville after serving as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. His first Commodores team started 2-2 before ending the season on an eight-game losing streak.

Vanderbilt more than doubled its win total in Year 2. Included were wins over Florida (the Commodores’ first since 2013) and Kentucky.

“Vanderbilt is home, it is such an honor for me to lead our football program,” Lea said. “The only way that we accomplish the mission we have set forth for Vanderbilt Football is with the vision and support from Chancellor (Daniel) Diermeier and Candice Lee. To have them acknowledge the progress we’ve made to this point, and to commit to seeing us push further on our journey means everything to me. Like everyone who is a part of our team, I will work to earn it every day, and recognize the great responsibility I have with the incredible opportunity and support I’ve been given. I also want to thank the members of our program, both student-athletes and staff. Their hard work and sacrifice is what allows for progress in our quest to build a program that makes all of Vanderbilt and Nashville proud.”

The Commodores open the 2023 season at home Aug. 26 vs. Hawaii.