Vanderbilt HC Clark Lea Named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, First in Program History
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Clark Lea has been named the 2025 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year. The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award is given annually, since 1957, to the top college football head coach in the country by the Football Writers Association of America. Less than a week after winning SEC Coach of the Year for the second straight season, Lea is now the first coach in Vanderbilt history to win this award.
See full release from vucommodores.com here
While the Commodores did not make the CFP, Clark Lea led Vanderbilt to their first 10-win season in program history during the 2025 season, and possibly their first 11-win season in program history depending on the outcome of the Reliaquest Bowl on December 31st against Iowa. The first 10 win season in program history was punctuated by a 21 point victory against Tennessee on the road. Alongside OC Tim Beck and Jerry Kill, the Commodores had one of the best offenses in the country. The Commodore offense ranked in the top 10 in the country in Points per game, Yards per game, points per play, yards per play, 3rd down conversion %, and more, per TeamRankings.com (these statistics only take into account FBS vs FBS games).
Other finalists for the 2025 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award included –
- Bob Chesney — James Madison
- Curt Cignetti — Indiana
- Ryan Day — Ohio State
- Mike Elko — Texas A&M
- Tony Elliott — Virginia
- Marcus Freeman — Notre Dame
- Jerry Mack — Kennesaw State
- Joey McGuire — Texas Tech
- Jim Mora — Connecticut
- Kirby Smart — Georgia
- Jon Sumrall — Tulane
Previous winners of the award include –
- 2010 – Chip Kelly, Oregon (2)
- 2011 – Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
- 2012 – Brian Kelly, Notre Dame (4)
- 2013 – Gus Malzahn, Auburn (2)
- 2014 – Gary Patterson, TCU (2)
- 2015 – Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
- 2016 – Mike MacIntyre, Colorado (2)
- 2017 – Scott Frost, UCF
- 2018 – Bill Clark, UAB
- 2019 – Ed Orgeron, LSU (2)
- 2020 – Jamey Chadwell, Coastal Carolina
- 2021 – Luke Fickell, Cincinnati
- 2022 – Sonny Dykes, TCU (3)
- 2023 – Kalen DeBoer, Washington
- 2024 – Curt Cignetti, Indiana
Congratulations to Clark Lea. One of the most well deserved awards I have ever seen given. What Lea and staff have done over the last year and a half on West End is nothing short of miraculous.
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