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Vanderbilt Football: 9 potential head coach replacements for Derek Mason

By Dante Pryor

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 28: head coach Derek Mason of the Vanderbilt Commodores walks to the stadium with Tyler Steen #54 and Cole Clemens #74 prior to a game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 28: head coach Derek Mason of the Vanderbilt Commodores walks to the stadium with Tyler Steen #54 and Cole Clemens #74 prior to a game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Vanderbilt football parted ways with Derek Mason after a Missouri shutout this weekend. Here are possible replacements for the former coach. 

After a 41-0 loss to the Missouri Tigers, Vanderbilt decided to part ways with long-time head coach Derek Mason after seven seasons. During his time in Nashville, Mason recorded a 27-55 record (.329), never posting a winning season.

Despite never finishing above .500, the Commodores did go to two bowl games under Mason, losing both.

Mason took over a program that won nine games two consecutive seasons under then-head coach James Franklin. The Commodores hired Mason from Stanford, where he was the defensive coordinator. The Commodores never seemed to figure out an offensive identity under Mason. Their best season, 2018, the Commodores scored 28 points per game, and quarterback Kyle Shurmur threw 24 touchdown passes.

However, this season, the Commodores were off to an 0-8 start and had 27 departures from the team. Mason was not going to survive the season.

Who should the Commodores hire?

Contrary to what one might think, the Vanderbilt job is attractive. First, it is an SEC job. The Vandy job is relatively lucrative. Mason made an estimated $4 million — private schools do not report their salaries. Nashville is a city you can sell to recruits. James Franklin proved if you have the right plan, you can win at Vanderbilt.

The Commodores do not need an “offensive or defensive guy” to lead them. Vanderbilt needs someone who is pliable and willing to do what is necessary to win football games. Keep in mind, Dabo Swinney and Ed Orgeron, the last two national championship-winning coaches, were both position coaches — Swinney had never even been a coordinator before.

At the same time, whoever the Commodores interview also need to interview the Commodores and AD Candace Storey Lee. What kind of investment is the university going to make in the football program? How large is the assistant pool? How much time will be given to build the program? Mason got seven years.

The only other open job currently allows the Commodores to choose whoever they want to interview and potentially hire with South Carolina.

Here are some possible candidates.

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