Notre Dame's Final 2020 Data: Defense

[ASFN Admin]

In Clark Lea’s three seasons as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator from 2018-20, his troops finished No. 16, No. 5 and this past season No. 24 nationally by Football Outsiders in overall effectiveness per the Fremeau Efficiency Index (FEI). It was a significant upgrade since the 2014-16 era when the Fighting Irish were 65th, 58th and 54th. The improvement helped them reach the College Football Playoff two of the last three seasons, and enabled the rising star Lea to be named head coach at his alma mater, Vanderbilt University, last month.

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