NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt football head coach Clark Lea has completed his coaching staff for the 2022 campaign. The second-year head coach has promoted Joey Lynch to offensive coordinator while adding Alex Bailey as wide receivers coach.
“Joey is a smart coach who pours his heart into his work,” Lea said. “He is a valued member of our Vanderbilt football family and I am beyond excited to watch him continue to grow our offense in the coordinator position as we move from Year 1 to Year 2 in our systems.”
Lea also expressed his excitement about reuniting Lynch and Bailey who were on the staff together at Ball State from 2015-19.
“I’m thrilled to announce Alex Bailey as our new receivers coach,” Lea added. “Alex has established a strong reputation within the coaching community as a successful teacher, mentor and recruiter. We will be leaning on Alex to develop the next wave of great wide receivers here in Nashville.”
Lynch assumes the role of offensive coordinator after spending 2021 as Vanderbilt’s quarterbacks coach. He helped the offense continue to grow throughout the season while navigating a midseason change at signal-caller when starter Ken Seals was injured.
The penultimate game of the season at No. 10 Ole Miss saw the Vanderbilt offense run 93 plays, the most since 2010, while eclipsing 200 yards both on the ground and through the air for the first time since the Texas Bowl in 2018. It also marked Vandy’s fourth-highest edge in time of possession since 1996 (38:57).
Lynch served as offensive coordinator at Colorado State in 2020 following 11 seasons at his alma mater Ball State. He started as wide receivers coach before moving to tight ends.
Lynch was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2014 and assistant head coach in 2019. Lynch was nominated for the Broyles Award in 2019 after leading the Cardinals to rank 16th nationally in total offense.
Bailey joins Vanderbilt after a one-year stop at Colorado State preceded by six seasons at Ball State. He coached receivers and served as recruiting coordinator for the Cardinals.
During Bailey’s tenure, Justin Hall was named an All-MAC receiver four consecutive years and finished his career as the nation’s active leader in career receptions. Bailey also mentored KeVonn Mabon and Jordan Willians, who finished third and fourth, respectively, in career receiving yards at Ball State.
His final season in Muncie, Indiana, saw the Cardinals win the Mid-American Conference for the first time since 1996, win their first bowl game in school history and finish the season ranked in both the AP and Coaches Polls for the first time ever.
Lynch and Bailey are reunited after spending 2015-19 together on the staff at Ball State.
The Commodores open the 2022 season Aug. 27 at Hawai’i. Elon is the home opener Sept. 3. Wake Forest, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee also visit Vanderbilt Stadium this fall. Season tickets are on sale now.
