Vanderbilt fires Derek Mason as football coach after seven losing seasons
Vanderbilt has fired Derek Mason after seven losing seasons as football coach, the university announced Sunday.
Mason has a 27-55 record, including a 0-8 mark this season against only SEC opponents. The Commodores have lost 12 consecutive SEC games.
Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch will serve as interim head coach until a replacement for Mason is named, according to Vanderbilt news release. The search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
“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.”
Vanderbilt was Mason’s first head coaching job, following a notable tenure as Stanford’s defensive coordinator.
Mason had relative success at a program that’s experienced very little for several decades. He became only the second coach in program history to make two bowl appearances, finishing 6-7 in 2016 and 2018. And under Mason, the Commodores beat rival Tennessee three consecutive times for the first time since the 1920s.
$3.5 million in total compensation that year. His current salary and buyout are not available to the public.
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