It is official. Notre Dame has named its new defensive coordinator and it comes from the current coaching staff.

Linebackers coach Clark Lea has been promoted and will takeover for Mike Elko, who left for the same role at Texas A&M.

“I cannot express how grateful I am to Father Jenkins, Jack Swarbrick and Brian Kelly for their confidence in my ability to take on this new role,” said Lea in a statement on the UND.com website. “I am indebted to them, and to the student-athletes that I have been blessed to work with over the past year — without their commitment and belief in me, I realize that none of this would be possible. Notre Dame represents everything I want to be a part of in my career as an educator, and I am deeply humbled to be able to continue my work here.”

Head coach Brian Kelly had this to say in a release.

“Clark has quickly established himself as a rising star in the coaching profession,” said the Dick Corbett Head Football Coach at the University of Notre Dame. “He immediately commands the respect of those around him, whether that be in a meeting room, on a practice field or in a prospective student-athlete’s living room. Clark has demonstrated an ability to motivate, lead, teach and mentor through a positive teaching environment, while also developing the necessary traits of excellence in our players. Clark has an incredible football knowledge, a keen understanding of personnel and a fierce work ethic, which leaves no doubt in my mind that we’ll maintain the defensive standard necessary to win at the highest level.”

Lea previously coached at Wake Forest, Syracuse, UCLA and Bowling Green before starting his career at Notre Dame before the 2017 season.

His arrival in South Bend has paid off in a big way, as rover Drue Tranquill and linebacker Tevon Coney had outstanding seasons this year. He has also made a big impract on the recruiting trail, as he led the way in landing Under Armour All-American linebacker Jack Lamb, U.S. Army All-American linebacker Shayne Simon, Michigan Defensive Player of the Year Ovie Oghoufo and Pennyslvania Defensive Player of the Year Matthew Bauer.