NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt E. Bronson Ingram Chair in Football Clark Lea has been named a semifinalist for the George Munger College Coach of the Year it was announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Wednesday. It’s the third national award the reigning SEC and AFCA Region Coach of the Year is a candidate for after being included on watch lists for the Paul “Bear” Bryant and Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Awards last month.
Finalists for the George Munger College Coach of the Year will be revealed on Dec. 8 with the winner scheduled to be named on Dec. 30.
Lea has led Vanderbilt to an 8-2 record so far this fall, the program’s first time winning eight of its first 10 contests since the 1941 season, and has the Commodores at No. 14 in the College Football Playoffs rankings released Tuesday night. Following an Oct. 25 victory over No. 15/14 Missouri, Vandy appeared in the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the first time since 1947 while earning its highest ranking since climbing to No. 7 during the 1937 campaign. The Dores have been included in the AP poll each of the last 10 weeks, the first time in program history they have been ranked on more than four occasions in a single season.
He has guided Vandy to wins over three top-15 opponents in 2025, matching the total recorded by the Commodores the previous 11 seasons combined.
Under Lea’s direction this year, the Dores have outscored the opposition by 161 points and are on track to record the program’s best average scoring margin since 1948. Their 38.3 scoring average—which currently stands eighth in the country—is on pace to be the highest posted by a Vandy offense since averaging 51.4 points per outing in 1915.
Lea and No. 12/13 Vanderbilt will play host to Kentucky Saturday on ESPN, with Senior Day recognition set to get underway prior to the 2:30 p.m. kickoff as the Commodores play their final regular season contest at FirstBank Stadium.
