Clark Lea became the first Vanderbilt football coach to a win a national coach of the year award when he was named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year.
This award, which is given by the Football Writers Association of America and the Allstate Sugar Bowl, was announced on Dec. 16.
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Under Lea, the Commodores won 10 games for the first time in program history. He coached Diego Pavia, the first Heisman Trophy finalist in program history, and Eli Stowers, the Mackey Award winner for the nation’s best tight end.
The 10-win season completed a turnaround from 2023, when Vanderbilt finished 2-10.
Lea also won SEC Coach of the Year for the second straight year.
The Eddie Robinson award is one of several national coach of the year awards in college football. According to a program release, Lea will be honored at a reception in Miami on Jan. 17.
Vanderbilt will finish its season against Iowa (8-4) in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on Dec. 31 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN).
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Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Clark Lea of Vanderbilt football named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
