Chadwell Named Paul “Bear” Bryant Award Group of Five Coach of the Year

After leading the Flames to the top postseason game for a Group of Five program, Liberty's Jamey Chadwell has been named the nation's top Group of Five coach.

Chadwell has been named the 2023 Paul "Bear" Bryant Award Group of 5 Conference Coach of the Year award winner. Along with this honor, it was announced that Chadwell is a finalist for the 2023 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year award.

Eight college football coaches made up the 2023 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award finalists: David Braun (Northwestern), Jamey Chadwell (Liberty), Kalen DeBoer (Washington), Eliah Drinkwitz (Missouri), Rhett Lashlee (SMU), Mike Norvell (Florida State), Nick Saban (Alabama) and Steve Sarkisian (Texas)

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 finalists and Coach of the Year recipient are voted on by the National Sports Media Association, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant Family.

Chadwell has also been named a semifinalist for the 2023 George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, a finalist for the 2023 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the HERO Sports Group of Five Co-Coach of the Year and CUSA Co-Coach of the Year award winners.

During his first season on the Mountain, Chadwell has led the Flames to unprecedented success in 2023.

Liberty enters bowl season with a perfect 13-0 record and is one of four undefeated teams in the country, joining Florida State, Michigan and Washington.

Chadwell, winner of this same Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award in 2020, guided the Flames to an unblemished 8-0 regular season record in Conference USA and a 49-35 win over New Mexico State in the CUSA Football Championship game.

Chadwell's success positioned the Flames to receive their first-ever invitation to play in a New Year's Six bowl game. Liberty will square off against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 1 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Liberty enters the matchup against the Ducks ranked No. 18 in the latest Associated Press poll and No. 20 in the Coaches Poll. The Flames were ranked in the final three College Football Playoff rankings, a first in program history, and finished No. 23 in the last CFP rankings.

Chadwell's spread option offense has Liberty as the nation's No. 1 rushing attack. The Flames enter bowl season averaging 302.9 yards per game, having rushed for a school-record 3,938 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Additionally, Liberty ranks No. 1 in tackles for a loss allowed (2.54 per game), No. 2 in sacks allowed (0.69 per game), No. 2 in first down offense (333), No. 2 in time of possession (33:43), No. 3 in total offense (514.9 yards per game), No. 3 in team passing efficiency (174.48), No. 2 in passing yards per completion (16.91), No. 4 in third-down conversion percentage (50.3), No. 5 in scoring offense (40.8 points per game) and No. 7 in fewest passes had intercepted (5).

Defensively, Liberty leads the nation with 21 interceptions while ranking No. 2 in the country in turnovers gained (25).

2023 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Finalist

David Braun – Northwestern (Bear Bryant Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year)
Jamey Chadwell – Liberty (Bear Bryant Group of Five Conference Coach of the Year)
Kalen DeBoer – Washington (Bear Bryant Pac-12 Conference Coach of the Year)
Eliah Drinkwitz – Missouri (Bear Bryant SEC Coach of the Year)
Rhett Lashlee – SMU
Mike Norvell – Florida State (Bear Bryant ACC Coach of the Year)
Nick Saban – Alabama
Steve Sarkisian – Texas (Bear Bryant Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year)

Chadwell Named Paul “Bear” Bryant Award Group of Five Coach of the Year

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