NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For the second straight year, Vanderbilt E. Bronson Ingram Chair in Football Clark Lea is a candidate for national coach-of-the-year honors after it was announced Wednesday that he has been named to the watch list for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award.
The award is given each January to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life—both on and off the field. The watch list, as well as finalists and the eventual coach of the year recipient, are voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards’ Executive Leadership Team and the Bryant Family.
This fall, Lea guided the Commodores to just the program’s second 5-0 start in over 80 seasons highlighted by 24-point road victories over Virginia Tech and then-No.11/10 South Carolina. Vandy has appeared in the national polls each of the last five weeks and are currently ranked 17th and 18th, respectively, in the Associated Press and AFCA Coaches’ top 25. It’s the first time in school history that the Dores have been included in the AP’s rankings five different weeks.
Under Lea’s direction in 2025, Vanderbilt has a plus-143 scoring margin through its first six games after the team began the campaign by recording victories of 20 or more points in each of its first five outings for the first time since 1915. In addition to ranking in the top 10 in the country with an average of 43.2 points per game, the Commodores stand second overall converting 57.9 percent of their third downs, are in the top 10 in tackles for loss and sacks allowed, and among the top 20 in total offense, passing efficiency and completion percentage.
Vandy’s defense has also excelled this season, ranking among the top 10 nationally in fumble recoveries and the top 20 in tackles for loss, sacks and rushing yards allowed per contest. The unit has already recorded 10 takeaways with at least one in every outing, and is on pace to allow the fewest points per game since the 2012 campaign.
Lea made the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award Watch List last fall on the way to leading the Commodores to their first winning season and postseason bowl victory since 2013.
Now in its 40th year, the award will be presented Jan. 21, 2026, during the association’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year awards ceremony, in Houston, Texas, with the ceremony set for broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
Lea and No. 17/18 Vanderbilt return to action Saturday at FirstBank Stadium when No. 10/10 LSU visits for an 11 a.m. kickoff on ABC.
