Report: Auburn to hire Derek Mason as defensive coordinator

Auburn is set to hire Derek Mason as its new defensive coordinator on Bryan Harsin’s staff.

Bryan Harsin is keeping Derek Mason in the SEC.

Per AL.com, the new Auburn coach is hiring the former Vanderbilt head coach to become the Tigers defensive coordinator.

Mason has previously served as a defensive coordinator at Stanford where he built the Cardinal into one of the top defenses in the country under David Shaw. His last season inn Palo Alto saw his defense finish 16th in the FBS in total yards allowed per game, giving up just 343.5.

His tenure at Vanderbilt started including two six-win seasons and trips to a bowl game, yet the Commodores fell apart the last two seasons, finishing 3-7 in 2019 and 0-8 this year, respectively.

Top three replacement options for LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini

The LSU Tigers are on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator after parting ways with Bo Pelini.

One year after winning the national championship with a 15-0 record, the LSU Tigers finished the 2020 season with a disappointing 5-5 record.

Those results led LSU head coach Ed Orgeron to make sweeping changes on his coaching staff, including at defensive coordinator.

Last offseason, Orgeron went for Bo Pelini, who had spent the previous 12 seasons as head coach for Nebraska and Youngstown State after Dave Aranda left Baton Rouge to take over as head coach at Baylor.

Before becoming the head coach at Nebraska in 2008, Pelini had spent three seasons as defensive coordinator at LSU.

Things didn’t quite go so well in his return.

The Tigers set numerous school records for defensive futility in Pelini’s long year in charge of the defense, and rumors of his tenuous job security began back in October.

Sure, many things played a part in LSU’s struggles this season. A lack of offseason for a new coach to install his defense played a part, as well as the Tigers losing several talented defenders to the NFL and opt-outs.

Regardless, it was apparent that Pelini wasn’t going to turn things around, and Orgeron is now searching for a new defensive coordinator for the second straight season.

Where does Orgeron turn to now?

Does he look for the next up-and-comer, or does he look for a veteran with a proven track record?

Here are the top three options Orgeron should consider for his new defensive coordinator.

Derek Mason on interest in LSU DC job: ‘There have been some conversations’

Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason presents an option at defensive coordinator for LSU after Bo Pelini’s departure.

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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Jeremy Pruitt discusses SEC head coaches being fired in 2020

Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt discusses SEC head coaches being fired this season.

Three Southeastern Conference head coaches have been fired this season.

Gus Malzahn (Auburn), Derek Mason (Vanderbilt) and Will Muschamp (South Carolina) have been relieved of their head coaching duties after competing in a 10-game, SEC-only regular season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sep 26, 2020; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp watches the action against the Tennessee Volunteers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason and Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt after a Vanderbilt win at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt discussed the trio being fired this season.

“It is unusual circumstances and nobody knows the circumstances around each individual job,” Pruitt said. “I got a lot of respect for all three of those men. Coaching against them, getting to know them coaching in this league, I think they have done a phenomenal job at the places that they have been.

“It’s really the rough part on this when there is a coaching change. Whether it is somebody leaving or somebody getting another opportunity, the people who suffer are the student-athletes. You build the relationships, you recruit them to come to a certain school. I’ve had it both ways — I’ve been fired before and I’ve had opportunities before. The worst part of it is, in either scenario, the people that you have created these relationships with and built a bond with to come to a certain school — that’s the people that suffer in all this.”

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Notre Dame football: Clark Lea rumor season begins after Vanderbilt fires coach

Notre Dame defensive coordinator will be a hot name in coaching searches this off-season and the job at his alma mater became open Sunday.

Well, you can officially start “Clark Lea Watch 2020” is it came a few weeks earlier than we even expected it to officially come this football season.

Vanderbilt, fresh off another awful showing on Saturday, losing to Missouri 41-0 and falling to 0-8, fired head coach Derek Mason on Sunday.

What does that happen to do with anything in regards to Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea, you ask?

Lea is going to be one of the hottest coaching candidates for perhaps a Power Five job at a middle to lower term program traditionally this off-season.

Lea is also a graduate of Vanderbilt where he was a fullback on the football team from 2002-2004.

Naturally, the easy link to draw is that Lea would be interested in being the coach to save his alma mater from the depths of football hell they’re currently in.

Must See:  40 pictures from Notre Dame’s 31-17 win at North Carolina

However, some basic logic tells you it’s hard to imagine this would be a two-foot putt for Lea to take if he were to be eventually offered the Vanderbilt opening.

One key reason why is not only the disaster that Vanderbilt football currently is but simply being in the SEC and the problems that bring.

That’s not to say it can’t be done as James Franklin had success at Vanderbilt before taking the Penn State job but it’d be an incredible undertaking at this point with cards stacked against you in terms of recruiting in your own conference.

Having gone there I’m certain Lea is aware of such matters.

I’ve said for a while that if Lea wants to be a head coach then he’s going to get that opportunity before much longer.

Now what can Notre Dame do to try and sway his decision?

You can back up the Brinks truck and offer an incredible pay raise but if his dream is to be a head coach, you’re not going to change that, not that Brian Kelly and Notre Dame’s staff would want to.

The link between Lea and Vanderbilt makes plenty of sense but the fit for Lea seems far-fetched for someone taking on their first potential head coaching job right now.

I fully expect Lea to be offered a head job this off-season but I have trouble thinking of some of the potential openings, that he’ll see this one as a destination job, even if he did go to college there.

In-state head coaching candidates for Vanderbilt

In-state head coaching candidates for Vanderbilt.

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In-state Southeastern Conference East foe Vanderbilt fired head coach Derek Mason Sunday.

Mason served as the Commodores’ head coach since 2014, compiling a 3-3 record against Tennessee. He had a 27-55 overall record at Vanderbilt, while appearing in two bowl games.

Following Mason’s departure, Vols Wire takes a look at in-state head coaching candidates, Trent Dilfer, Jeff Fisher and Rex Ryan, for Vanderbilt’s vacant position.

Phil Jones, former Vols’ defensive lineman (1973-74) and Nashville resident, discussed who would be a leading candidate between Dilfer, Fisher and Ryan at Vanderbilt.

Jones views Dilfer as the leading candidate of the three.

Trent Dilfer — Lipscomb Academy head coach

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Dilfer is in his second as head coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville.

The Super Bowl champion quarterback has made the playoffs both seasons at the helm of Lipscomb Academy.

The 48-year-old finished 7-6 during the 2019 campaign and is currently 13-2 and remains in the high school state playoffs this season.

Dilfer previously joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” to discuss his coaching career.

Jeff Fisher — Former Tennessee Titans head coach

1999: Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher gives the thumbs-up to the crowd after this team beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-17 at Adelphia Coliseum Dec. 19, 1999 to insure a playoff berth. © Bill Steber / The Tennessean, The Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Fisher served as head coach for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans from 1994-2010.

The 62-year-old former Tennessee head coach resides in Nashville.

Rex Ryan — Former Jets and Bills head coach

Former football coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan looks on from the stage during the final day of the NFL Draft Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Ryan served as head coach for the Jets (2009-14) and Bills (2015-16), compiling a 61-66 record and appearing in two AFC championship games.

The 57-year-old former NFL head coach currently resides in the Nashville area.

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Derek Mason Fired, D’Wan Mathis Leaves Georgia: College Football News Updates

The latest college football news, notes, and happenings for Sunday, November 29th.

The latest college football news, notes, and happenings for Sunday, November 29th.
Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt fires HC Derek Mason ahead of game against Georgia football

Georgia football’s next opponent, Vanderbilt, has fired head coach Derek Mason.

In the midst of a winless 2020 season and on the heels of a 41-0 loss against Missouri, the Vanderbilt Commodores announced they have fired head coach Derek Mason.

Sitting at 0-8 on the year, Vandy is the conference’s only team without a win. The Commodores are set to face the Georgia Bulldogs this coming Saturday in Athens.

Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch has been named the interim coach.

AD Candice Storey Lee issued the following statement following the news:

“On behalf of the entire Vanderbilt community, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Coach Mason for his many years of dedication and service leading our football program,” Lee said. “Derek cares deeply about the student-athletes under his charge. His tenure at Vanderbilt will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to our student-athletes, not only on the field, but in the classroom and as young people.”

Mason had seven years in Nashville, all of which concluded with losing records. His final record at Vandy is 27-55.

Vanderbilt will have interim head coach against Tennessee

Vanderbilt will have an interim head coach when the Commodores play Tennessee.

Tennessee and Vanderbilt were scheduled to play in Week 10 of a 10-game, Southeastern Conference-only schedule.

The game was postponed for the purpose to facilitate a rescheduling of the Vanderbilt-Missouri contest. The rescheduling of games allows for the continued opportunity of all 14 SEC teams to play 10 games in the 2020 season.

UT Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer announced on “Vol Calls” last week when Tennessee will play Texas A&M and Vanderbilt in December.

Fulmer mentioned the Vols will play at Vanderbilt Dec. 12 and UT will host Texas A&M Dec. 19.

Tennessee will face Vanderbilt with the Commodores having an interim head coach.

Vanderbilt fired head coach Derek Mason Sunday. Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch will serve as the Commodores’ interim head coach.

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Vanderbilt fires Derek Mason day after Sarah Fuller kicks for Commodores

The Vanderbilt Commodores are winless and Derek Mason is out as head coach

Derek Mason helped Sarah Fuller and Vanderbilt make college football history Saturday. A day later, the coach was history.

The winless Commodores announced Sunday they have fired Mason. The decision comes amid an 0-8 season that saw them crushed 41-0 by Missouri in Columbia.

That was the game where Fuller, the soccer goalkeeper, became the first woman to play in a Power 5 Conference game.

Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch will serve as interim head coach until a replacement for Mason is named

Mason had been coach since 2014 and never had a team with a .500 record in the brutal SEC. He finishes 27-55. These Commodores have been outscored 294-116.

“On behalf of the entire Vanderbilt community, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Coach Mason for his many years of dedication and service leading our football program,” athletics director Candice Lee said in a statement. “Derek cares deeply about the student-athletes under his charge. His tenure at Vanderbilt will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to our student-athletes, not only on the field but in the classroom and as young people.”