NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Tim Beck has been nominated for the Broyles Award.
Beck has engineered an impressive turnaround in the Vanderbilt offense in his first year as coordinator on West End. The Commodores have improved from 76th to 29th in ESPN’s FPI offensive efficiency while throwing the second-fewest interceptions in the country and ranking among the top 35 in FBS in red zone offense and third-down conversions.
Vanderbilt never trailed in consecutive wins against No. 1 Alabama and at Kentucky, marking the first time since at least 1960 that the Commodores led wire-to-wire in consecutive SEC games. The offense did not have a single three-and-out in the victories, marking the first time since at least 2002.
Quarterback Diego Pavia has thrived in Beck’s system. Pavia is 23 yards shy of breaking the Vanderbilt record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback entering the regular season finale. Pavia’s 80 percent completion rate in the win over the Tide was the best mark against Alabama since 2010. He is also the first SEC quarterback to record an 80 percent completion rate with two touchdown passes and 50 rushing yards in consecutive victories.
Pavia’s go-to target, Eli Stowers, is the first Vanderbilt tight end since at least 1996 to have multiple 100-yard receiving games in a season. Stowers leads SEC tight ends in receiving yards while ranking 10th among FBS tight ends and sixth among Power 4 tight ends.
The Broyles Award is presented annually to the nation’s top assistant coach by the Frank &. Barbara Broyles Foundation. The 65 nominees were selected from the approximately 1,500 assistant coaches across the Football Bowl Subdivision. A selection committee including former head coaches, broadcasters and a selection of Football Writers Association of America members will narrow the group to 15 semifinalists before five finalists and an overall winner are chosen.
Beck and the Commodores conclude the regular season Saturday against Tennessee. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on ABC.
