Chadwell Named Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award Winner
1/18/2024 1:00:00 PM | Football
Liberty Head Football Coach Jamey Chadwell's first year on the Mountain continues to draw national attention.
Chadwell has been named the winner of the 2023 Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award.
The award, presented by Chris Doering Mortgage, is given annually to a head coach who demonstrates an exemplary transition during the first year leading a program. In 2021, the trophy was named after Steve Spurrier.
Spurrier, a former Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer known affectionately as "The Head Ball Coach," made immediate improvement at his coaching stops.
Chadwell will be honored during a banquet hosted by Coach Spurrier and Gator Great and SEC Network Analyst Chris Doering at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille on Monday, Feb. 26 in Gainesville.
During his first season on the Mountain, Chadwell led the Flames to unprecedented success in 2023.
Liberty entered bowl season with a perfect 13-0 record and was one of four undefeated teams in the country, joining Florida State, Washington and eventual national champion Michigan.
Chadwell 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 squared off against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 1 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Chadwell's spread option offense allowed Liberty to finish the 2023 season ranked No. 1 in the country in rushing, averaging 293.3 yards per game. Liberty finished the year rushing for a program-record 4,106 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Additionally, Liberty ranks No. 1 in tackles for a loss allowed (2.64 per game), No. 2 in sacks allowed (0.64 per game), No. 2 in passing yards per completion (16.19), No. 3 in winning percentage (92.9), No. 4 in total offense (499.1 yards per game), No. 4 in first down offense (348), No. 8 in time of possession (33:04) and No. 9 scoring offense (38.3 points per game).
Defensively, Liberty leads the nation with 21 interceptions while ranking No. 9 in the country in turnovers gained (25).
In addition to the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award, Chadwell was named a semifinalist for the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award Group of 5 Conference Coach of the Year, the HERO Sports Group of Five Co-Coach of the Year and CUSA Co-Coach of the Year award winners.
2024 Liberty Football Season Tickets Information
Season tickets for the 2024 Liberty Football season are on sale now! Starting at just $120, members of Flames Nation can secure their spot at Williams Stadium this fall to watch the Flames defend their CUSA conference title and earn their way into the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoffs.
You can purchase your 2024 Liberty Football season tickets now at www.LUFootball.com or call/text (434) 592-5015.
Chadwell has been named the winner of the 2023 Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award.
The award, presented by Chris Doering Mortgage, is given annually to a head coach who demonstrates an exemplary transition during the first year leading a program. In 2021, the trophy was named after Steve Spurrier.
Spurrier, a former Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer known affectionately as "The Head Ball Coach," made immediate improvement at his coaching stops.
Chadwell will be honored during a banquet hosted by Coach Spurrier and Gator Great and SEC Network Analyst Chris Doering at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille on Monday, Feb. 26 in Gainesville.
During his first season on the Mountain, Chadwell led the Flames to unprecedented success in 2023.
Liberty entered bowl season with a perfect 13-0 record and was one of four undefeated teams in the country, joining Florida State, Washington and eventual national champion Michigan.
Chadwell 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 squared off against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 1 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Chadwell's spread option offense allowed Liberty to finish the 2023 season ranked No. 1 in the country in rushing, averaging 293.3 yards per game. Liberty finished the year rushing for a program-record 4,106 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Additionally, Liberty ranks No. 1 in tackles for a loss allowed (2.64 per game), No. 2 in sacks allowed (0.64 per game), No. 2 in passing yards per completion (16.19), No. 3 in winning percentage (92.9), No. 4 in total offense (499.1 yards per game), No. 4 in first down offense (348), No. 8 in time of possession (33:04) and No. 9 scoring offense (38.3 points per game).
Defensively, Liberty leads the nation with 21 interceptions while ranking No. 9 in the country in turnovers gained (25).
In addition to the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year Award, Chadwell was named a semifinalist for the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award Group of 5 Conference Coach of the Year, the HERO Sports Group of Five Co-Coach of the Year and CUSA Co-Coach of the Year award winners.
2024 Liberty Football Season Tickets Information
Season tickets for the 2024 Liberty Football season are on sale now! Starting at just $120, members of Flames Nation can secure their spot at Williams Stadium this fall to watch the Flames defend their CUSA conference title and earn their way into the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoffs.
You can purchase your 2024 Liberty Football season tickets now at www.LUFootball.com or call/text (434) 592-5015.
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