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Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea defended quarterback Diego Pavia after his controversial behavior following the Heisman Trophy ceremony, but noted that Pavia’s actions “sent the wrong message.”
Pavie, 23, finished second to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 record and a Big Ten championship before the College Football Playoff (CFP). The result prompted an unkind response from Pavie, who posted on social media: “ALL VOTERS BUT… ONE FAMILY FOR LIFE.”
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws to a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, file)
He was also later photographed at a nightclub with a sign reading “F— Indiana.
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Pavie later apologized in a lengthy social media post, but not before encountering widespread backlash.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Léa addressed the situation and attempted to explain Pavie’s thought process.
“I regretted the fact that he posted that and I appreciated his apology. It’s an example of how – I mean, this kid had an incredible career. It’s an incredible story, and he rose to the point where he reached a childhood dream, and he narrowly failed and there’s so much goodness in that.
Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores poses with the Heisman Memorial Trophy before the 2025 Heisman Trophy presentation at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 13, 2025, in New York. (Adam Faim/Getty Images)
Heisman Trophy voter blasts Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia for F-bomb remark in fiery column: ‘PUNK MOVE’
“But the idea that he’s fighting against doubters and feeling like he constantly has to prove himself, that’s not new to him. But what’s always true for Diego is the people that are by his side, the people that he’s closest to, they have his heart. That’s our program,” Lea continued.
“At a time when I think he was trying to communicate that, he used words that sent the wrong message, that don’t fit our agenda, that don’t fit who he is. And we make mistakes.”
Lea’s remarks echo those of Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Lee, who said Monday, “We believe in growth and accountability, and we will continue to support Diego as he learns from this moment.”
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, a Heisman Trophy finalist, speaks during an NCAA college football news conference before the awards ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Muñoz Álvarez)
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Pavie will finish his college career at the ReliaQuest Bowl where Vanderbilt will face Iowa on December 31.
