Vanderbilt football updates, Clark Lea at SEC Media Days 2023: Live coverage

Nashville Tennessean
Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea will take the stage at 2023 SEC Media Days with more optimism around the program than in his first two times at the event.
After a 2-10 first season, Lea improved the Commodores to 5-7, and throughout the spring Lea kept the team focused on its primary goal of qualifying for a bowl game in 2023.
Vanderbilt will have to figure out a way to replace linebacker Anfernee Orji, tight ends Ben Bresnahan and Gavin Schoenwald, cornerback Jeremy Lucien and running back Ray Davis. But it also returns most of its production at wide receiver and offensive line as well as a talented young quarterback in AJ Swann.
Lea will speak at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nashville at approximately 9 a.m. CT on Tuesday. He will be joined by wide receiver Will Sheppard, safety Jaylen Mahoney and linebacker Ethan Barr.
Here are live updates from Vanderbilt football at SEC Media Days 2023:
Clark Lea: 'Got to go earn' extension
Lea spoke about his recent extension in a breakout media session with reporters.
"Any time you get acknowledged, for progress, it feels good," Lea said. " ... What's being acknowledged in the extension is that we're on the right track and the support from Chancellor Diermeier and Candice Lee, it means the world to me. ... We were fortunate to go from two wins to five wins, but you can't just say, well, that means we're gonna get x this year, we got to go earn it. And that's a part of our covenants, earn it every day, when you get an extension. I don't feel like I deserve it. I got to go earn it."
Lea on importance of boundaries in wake of Northwestern scandal
After a hazing scandal that ended in the dismissal of coach Pat Fitzgerald, Clark Lea said it was important for the program to have healthy boundaries where athletes were comfortable speaking up if something was wrong. He said "we've lost our way as coaches" if the experience doesn't add value for the athletes.
Lea said one of the team covenants is brotherhood and that no brotherhood starts with abuse in the locker room.
Lea on Vandy United, facilities renovation
Lea said the renovations at FirstBank Stadium are the result of support from the administration. Lea said he sat down with chancellor Daniel Diermeier to talk about college football recruiting and that Diermeier is a football fan.
Although the team still needs to work out the details about playing at FirstBank amid renovations, Lea said he is excited to see the investment and progress on the facility upgrades.
Clark Lea 'Never satisfied at 5-7'
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea celebrated the progress the Commodores have made in his two years with the program while making his expectation clear:
"The goal is postseason play."
Vanderbilt finished 5-7 last season, losing big against the league's elite opponents but still scoring upset wins over Kentucky and Florida that suggest Vandy is moving in the right direction.
We're "never satisfied with 5-7," Lea said.