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Report: Former Vandy Head Coach Derek Mason Contacted About LSU's DC Job

by Staff Reporter

December 23, 202087 Comments

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Zenitz with AL.com is reporting that former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason has had some "preliminary contact with LSU" regarding the defensive coordinator position.

Ed Orgeron needs to find a replacement at defensive coordinator after parting ways with Bo Pelini this week.

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Mason, 51-years old, was the head coach at Vanderbilt from 2014-2020, posting a 27–55 record over seven seasons. He was fired on Nov. 29 after going 0-8 this season.

Prior to his time in Nashville, Mason was on Stanford's staff from 2010-2013 working in roles such as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Before Stanford, he was an assistant defensive back coach with the Minnesota Vikings from 2007-2009.

Coaching career, according to Wikipedia:
1994 Mesa CC (WR)
1995–1996 Weber State (WR)
1997–1998 Idaho State (RB)
1999–2001 Bucknell (DB)
2002 Utah (WR/ST)
2003 St. Mary's (AHC/Co-DC)
2004 New Mexico State (WR)
2005–2006 Ohio (WR)
2007–2009 Minnesota Vikings (Asst. DB)
2010 Stanford (DB)
2011 Stanford (AHC/Co-DC/DB)
2012–2013 Stanford (AHC/DC)
2014–2020 Vanderbilt (HC)

Filed Under: LSU Football

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Originally published on TigerDroppings.com

87 Comments

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gwbajb•40 months

no one who coaches Vandy for a number of years will have a winning record. He is a very good coach.

LSU615•40 months

James Franklin

sportjunkie69•40 months

Not serious until him and Orgeron are spotted at Texas De Brazile. That's where they close.

EveryoneGetsATrophy•40 months

He's been contacted for an interview, not hired. Jeezus yall jump to conclusions.

Nix to Twillie•40 months

The people freaking out at this potential hire are the same ones that would freak out about Joe Brady as OC because the Carolina Panthers aren’t good. Barry Odom was a poor head coach, only to once again become a solid DC. Not crazy to think Mason could be the same.

blueboy•40 months

Not the worst idea.

emanresu•40 months

But close to it. This guy isn't the defensive wizard we're looking for.

CharlesLSU•40 months

It’s a process. Let them walk through a clean search. Chill

jeff70121•40 months

Bingo...

Uvlva•40 months

This would be a great hire

TenTex•40 months

Great choice if we can get him. Respected, successful DC that can RECRUIT!!!

rob62•40 months

Yep he proved that recruiting ability exactly where and last I checked LSU is recruiting extremely well. More Mason Bullcrap.

SwampBandit•40 months

All the bash on Mason I think is overboard! His record at candy has nothing to do with him as DC at LSU! He didn’t have the athletes LSU has and I think he would be a good recruiter and DC! Would I rather a younger up and coming brand name Yes but I don’t think Mason would be a bad coach!

Jet Sweep•40 months

Come on let’s be fair God cannot win at Vandy . Mason is a leader of men a motivator a role model that players play for . The players did not respond to Bo, the SEC has changed over the years .

StupidBinder•40 months

Exactly. Who gives a damn what he did at Vandy? Do we want an HC or an elite DC? Because he was killing it at Stanford before taking the Vandy job. He’d be a helluva get.

WhiskeyPlease•40 months

I believe Mason may work out just fine. I'd give him a chance.

Woodman•40 months

Mason was introduced to the NFL coaching circles in 1996 with the St. Louis Rams and also spent time with the coaching staffs of the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders. He joined the Vikings staff in 2007, where he worked with defensive backs coach Joe Woods. Prior to joining the Vikings, Mason tutored the wide receivers at Ohio University under head coach Frank Solich and helped the Bobcats improve from 4-7 in 2005 to a 9-5 mark the following season, culminating in an appearance in the GMAC Bowl against Southern Mississippi. Prior to his arrival at Stanford for the 2010 season, Mason served as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2007-09, playing a vital role in the team ranking sixth in total defense in 2008 and 2009 as the Vikings won NFC North titles each season. Mason’s 2011 Stanford defense ranked third nationally in rushing defense (84.38), sixth in third-down defense efficiency (31.10) and 11th in sacks (3.00). Mason led the Stanford Cardinal to consecutive top-15 national standings in defensive efficiency with steadfast efforts in 2011 and 2012. Mason, a 2012 Broyles Award finalist, guided a 2012 Stanford defense that was not only one of the finest in the nation, but also one of the best in school history. Mason's leadership paved the way to a historic defensive output in 2012, breaking Stanford's single-season sacks record (57) and pacing the Pac-12 in scoring defense (17.21), total defense (336.21), rushing defense (97.0), sacks (4.07) and tackles for loss (9.00). So, how good of recruiter was he at Stanford? What style of defense did he run? It seemed to have a lot of success in the pass happy Pac 12.

CanebreakCajun•40 months

Yeah, except we also run, a lot in SEC.

alumni95•40 months

Did he inherit some ridiculous talent when he arrived at Stanford or did he truly develop and manage it? Sounds like a good name hire, but I would have to trace back to that success at Stanford and vet it out further.

RoughRanger•40 months

Alumni95, you're talking points are off and clearly no research was put into them. Joe Brady was at William & Marry and did nothing because he had nothing. He fell in on talent at LSU and won because of his style just as you calim just as mason can do with his style.

Im4LSUnTN•40 months

Not suggesting Mason is the guy, but living in Nashville, can tell you he is known as a players coach, developer of men and was placed in an impossible situation where Vandy only pays lip service toward investing in its football program. They guy can coach defense if placed in the right situation.

LSU615•40 months

Hard to win at a school that puts a female placekicker on the team for publicity and not merit.

TaderSalad•40 months

Y’all comparing HC success to coordinator success? Y’all rantarded. Two totally different functions. Man can be a helluva DC. Question is, does he want to come here for one year

Tiger1988•40 months

Start in 2010 and look at the schools... this guy can coach. He can recruit. He can do what O needs - run a defense. We all witnessed what Zac Chnningham did at Vandy. That was 1 very good player on defense. Now give him LSUs talent.

gwbajb•40 months

yes he is a great choice

SaintLSU•40 months

Marcus Freeman is the way to go

mla0100•40 months

The next Flavor of the Month! The guy has nowhere near the experience required to be the D.C. of an major SEC contender. You were probably a Tom Herman fan? He has never been a D.C., has never coached at a Power 5 school, and has never recruited in the Southeast, and never had players recruited from the top echelon of CFB athletes. Ohio St. offered Freeman the LB coach position, what makes you think he's ready to take the reigns of a school like LSU - Big Difference! We need a proven winner as our D.C. not a development project... hoping that he will prove to be qualified...

Damathe•40 months

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't he a 3-4 guy?

easy money•40 months

I like the idea. He was great at Stanford in that role. His expertise is db, but I don’t know how that would work with Raymond. Who coaches lb?

Tiger1988•40 months

Raymond is a great recruiter, mediocre coach. Coop would coach circles around him as would Mason.

nolimitnola•40 months

Best DC at LSU was Muschamp in my opinion. Look what he did as a HC. Two completely different things. It could work.

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