Lea Named Tennessee Coach of the Year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt football head coach Clark Lea added to his list of accolades for the 2024 campaign when he was named Coach of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association.

The organization announced its annual football awards on Wednesday morning.

Lea, the 2024 SEC Coach of the Year, led Vanderbilt football to its best season in over a decade. The Commodores had a winning season and won a bowl game for the first time since 2013, defeating Georiga Tech in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 27. To earn the bowl bid, the Commodores hit a number of historic milestones.

For the first time in school history, Vandy defeated the nation’s top-ranked team when the Dores defeated Alabama, 40-35. It was the first win over the Tide since 1984 and the program’s first win over a top-five team in 60 tries. Vandy followed with a win at Kentucky to give the program its best start since 2008, while it also marked the first time the Commodores won consecutive games in Lexington since 1992 and ’94.

Lea’s squad clinched its first bowl appearance since 2018 with a win at Auburn, the program’s first-ever at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It was the first time since 1955 Vanderbilt defeated Auburn and Alabama in the same season. In the 17-7 win, it marked the lowest point total by an SEC opponent since 2015.

The Birmingham Bowl win over the Yellow Jackets marked the program’s first victory over Georgia Tech since 1941, snapping a six-game skid in the rivalry for the Golden Cowbell.

Lea’s Commodores open the 2025 season on Aug. 30 when Charleston Southern visits FirstBank Stadium.