There were rumblings that former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason could be a candidate for the LSU defensive coordinator job after the departure of Bo Pelini, and now that’s been confirmed.
“There have been some conversations,” Mason told Glenn Guilbeau of the Lafayette Daily Advertiser Wednesday. “I’m taking some time right now. I’m spending time with my family. But I’ll say this, I have the utmost respect for Coach [Ed] Orgeron. I truly believe he’s an unbelievable coach. And LSU is a top five program as far as talent, resources and what it can do.”
Mason was fired by Vanderbilt in 2020 after going 0-8 with the team this year. He posts an overall record of 27-55 over seven seasons with the Commodores.
Mason praised the LSU program for its many accomplishment, and whether the Tigers ultimately select him for the position, it’s obvious he has the desire to walk the sidelines in Baton Rouge.
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“Anybody who’s anybody as far as a defensive coordinator and loves football would want to coach at LSU,” Mason told Guilbeau. “When you look at LSU, you can see top 10 talent. There are 10 or 11 programs in the country that have superior talent, and LSU is one of them.”
Guilbeau has reported that former South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp and former Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele are also candidates, though Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman appears to be Ed Orgeron’s top option.
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