One of LSU’s finalists for defensive coordinator is off the board as former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason was announced as the new defensive coordinator for Auburn on Thursday.
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron had expressed an interest in Mason, and he was interested in the job at one point. However, it is not known if Mason ever participated in an actual interview with LSU.
Orgeron made it clear this week that Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was his top choice for defensive coordinator. Freeman was in Baton Rouge on Thursday with his wife for a formal interview.
The Tigers aren’t the only team competing for Freeman, though, as Notre Dame and Texas have also spoken with him. And, there is no guarantee he leaves his current position.
Mason spent seven seasons as Vanderbilt’s head coach before he was fired late in the 2020 season. Before that, he was the defensive coordinator at Stanford.
There is still no timetable on when Orgeron expects to have a new defensive coordinator in place. LSU officially hired Jake Peetz as offensive coordinator on Wednesday.
Welcome to The Plains, @CoachDerekMason!#WarEagle
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 7, 2021