NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt E. Bronson Ingram Chair in Football Clark Lea has been named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year the Football Writers Association of America announced on Monday.
Lea has already been named a finalist for Walter Camp Football Bowl Subdivision, American Football Coaches Association and George Munger College Coach of the Year Awards as well as the AFCA Region 2 Coach of the Year. He is on watch lists for the Paul “Bear” Bryant and Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Awards too.
This season Lea has led the Commodores to their first back-to-back postseason bowl appearances since 2011-13 with Vandy posting school records with 10 total and six SEC wins. The Dores have defeated four nationally ranked programs this fall including three who were in the top 15 at the time of the contest, entering the Associated Press’ top 25 following a victory at No. 11/10 South Carolina and climbing as high as No. 9. That’s the highest Vandy has reached in the AP rankings since 1937.
The Commodores currently have the No. 1 rated offense in the country per ESPN’s Football Power Index, and are first among all NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams with an average of 7.54 yards per play. Under Lea’s guidance, Vandy is in the top 15 nationally in scoring, passing and total offense, team passing efficiency, completion percentage, third-down conversion percentage and rushing defense.
Vanderbilt accepted an invitation Sunday to compete in the ReliaQuest Bowl, where the Dores will take on Iowa. Kickoff for the matchup is set for 11 a.m. CT on Dec. 31, with the contest scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN.
