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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.”
Pavia, 23, finished second behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 record and a Big Ten Championship heading into the College Football Playoff (CFP). The result prompted an unkind response from Pavia, who posted on social media: “A-ALL THE VOTERS, BUT… 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 holding a sign that read: “F— Indiana.
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Pavia later apologized in a lengthy social media post, but not before receiving widespread backlash.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Lea addressed the situation and attempted to explain Pavia’s thought process.
“I was sorry for the fact that he said that and I appreciated his apology. This is a great example of the way that – I mean, this kid has had an incredible career. It’s an incredible story, and he got to the point where he was reaching for a childhood dream, and he fell short and there’s a lot of goodness in that.
Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Diego Pavia of the Vanderbilt Commodores poses with the Heisman Memorial Trophy prior to the presentation of the 2025 Heisman Trophy at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 13, 2025 in New York City. (Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
HEISMAN TROPHY VOTER SHOOTS VANDERBILT’S DIEGO PAVIA OVER F-BOMB COMMENT IN BURNING COLUMN: ‘PUNK MOVEMENT’
“But the idea that he’s been fighting skeptics and feels like he has to constantly prove himself is not new to him. But what’s always true for Diego is that the people on his side, the ones he’s closest to, 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 align with our program, that don’t align with who he is. And we make mistakes.”
Lea’s comments echoed those of Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Lee, who said Monday: “We believe in growth and responsibility, and we will continue to support Diego as he learns from this moment.”
Vanderbilt quarterback Heisman Trophy finalist Diego Pavia speaks during an NCAA college football press conference prior to the awards ceremony, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Muñoz Álvarez)
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Pavia will conclude his collegiate career in the ReliaQuest Bowl, where Vanderbilt will face Iowa on December 31.
