Vanderbillt football coach Clark Lea is plenty familiar with Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey.
Minchey, from Hendersonville, attended Pope John Paul II and was a 4-star recruit in the 2023 class. Lea offered Minchey early on in his tenure, but he first chose Pitt, only to later decommit to go to Notre Dame. After three years of sparse playing time, Minchey transferred to Kentucky prior to the 2026 season. This year he has become one of the SEC’s biggest breakout players.
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In 2026, Minchey is 141-of-206 passing for 1,552 yards, 13 touchdowns and only one interception.
When Vanderbilt (3-4, 0-4 SEC) faces No. 12 Kentucky (6-1, 4-1) on Oct. 24 (6:30 p.m. CT, SEC Network), it will face Minchey with 5-star freshman QB Jared Curtis, a Nashville Christian graduate.
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea celebrates after defeating NC State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea celebrates after defeating NC State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea speaks with safety Ricardo Jones (7) during the third quarter against NC State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Austin Peay coach Jeff Faris, left, and Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea talk after their game was called due to weather with 2:16 left in the fourth quarter at FirstBank Stadium at Vanderbilt University Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
(DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) and coach Clark Lea embrace after the team’s win against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
(Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea congratulates defensive players after they made a third down stop against Tennessee during the third quarter at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
(Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea shakes hands with fans as he hugs quarterback Diego Pavia (2) after the team’s win against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.
(Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) hugs coach Clark Lea during the fourth quarter against Kentucky at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt’s coach Clark Lea celebrates with the fans and team after beating Missouri 17-10 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean, Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Coach Clark Lea talks with Pat McAfee during ESPN “College GameDay” at Wyatt Lawn on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 before Vanderbilt hosts Missouri.
(Camden Hall / For The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Head Coach, Clark Lea celebrates with his team after the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
(Nicole Hester/ The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea works with his team against Georgia State during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Sep 13, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea celebrates with safety Marlen Sewell (7) following their win over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
(Jeff Blake, Jeff Blake-Imagn Images)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Sep 13, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea waves to his team’s fans following their win over the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
(Jeff Blake, Jeff Blake-Imagn Images)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Sep 6, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea questions an official about a call during the third quarter at Lane Stadium.
(Brian Bishop / Imagn Images)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – DECEMBER 27: Head coach Clark Lea of the Vanderbilt Commodores host the Birmingham Bowl Championship Trophy after a win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Protective Stadium on December 27, 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
(Brandon Sumrall, Getty Images)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – DECEMBER 27: Head coach Clark Lea of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates after a win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium on December 27, 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
(Brandon Sumrall, Getty Images)
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Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea reacts to a play during the first quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
(Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea greets Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel after the game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea celebrates with fans after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Vanderbilt Commodores defeated Auburn Tigers 17-7.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores Head Coach Clark Lea gathers with his team after losing 27-24 to the Texas Longhorns at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt football’s Diego Pavia, CJ Taylor, Gnash and Head Coach Clark Lea rev up the fans before the Nashville Predators take on the Dallas Stars at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 5: Jerry Kill, Chief Consultant to the Head Coach, hugs Head Coah Clark Lea of the Vanderbilt Commodores after their 40-35 win against the Alabama Crimson Tide FirstBank Stadium on October 5, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)
(Carly Mackler, Getty Images)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt’s head coach, Clark Lea, is embraced Nate Johnson following their win after Saturday’s game between Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville , Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
(Nicole Hester / The Tennessean)
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Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea holds back wide receiver Will Sheppard (14) during an exchange on the field with Tennessee.
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Oct 14, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea yells at officials during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
(Christopher Hanewinckel, Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel meet at midfield after after the game at FirstBank Stadium Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt 56 to 0.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea celebrates their 31 to 24 win against Florida with his players after the game at FirstBank Stadium Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea is doused with Gatorade after their 31 to 24 win against Florida at FirstBank Stadium Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Nov 12, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Ray Davis (2) hugs head coach Clark Lea after the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
(Jordan Prather, Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea watches the replay board against the Missouri Tigers during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea talks with Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin after losing to Mississippi 52 to 28 at FirstBank Stadium Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Sep 24, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea prepares his team to play Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Vanderbilt 55-3. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
(Gary Cosby Jr., Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Head coach Clark Lea speaks to players after the final game of their season in the locker room in Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.
(Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea waves to the crowd after their 34 to 17 loss against Kentucky at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea hi-fives his players before the game against Kentucky at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Oct 23, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea reacts to a call made by the officials during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
(Christopher Hanewinckel, Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Oct 2, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea celebrates with place kicker Joseph Bulovas (36) after kicking the game-winning field goal as time expired to beat the Connecticut Huskies at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
(Christopher Hanewinckel, Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea walks into the stadium during the “Star Walk” before the game against ETSU at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tenneseean.com)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Head Coach Clark Lea speaks to the media in his first appearance in the Hyatt Regency at SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., Wednesday, July 21, 2021. The Vanderbilt football helmet next to him was his helmet when he played for the Commodores. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
(Gary Cosby Jr., Tuscaloosa News)
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Clark Lea, Vanderbilt football coach in sixth season with Commodores
Vanderbilt Commodores FB Clark Lea (29) stiff arms Keiwan Ratliff (1) with UF during the 4th quarter.
(Michelle Morrow / The Tennessean)
“We loved Kenny,” Lea said Oct. 22. “I was here during that evaluation process. The guys at Notre Dame called when he was going to go into the portal and had a lot of great things to say about him. He didn’t have the game experience, but I think even in high school here, played for guys at JPII. Always had a ton of respect for him, always enjoyed him when he was around.
” … I’m very happy to see him having success. I think for a local kid to find his way and get into a system that fits him, I think is awesome, and our job is to make it hard on him on Saturday.”
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Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Did Clark Lea recruit Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey? What Vanderbilt coach said
