Center Tennessee is predicted to rent former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason to exchange longtime coach Rick Stockstill, 247Sports experiences. Mason led the Commodores from 2014-20 and was the defensive coordinator for Auburn and Oklahoma State earlier than serving as a TV analyst this season.
He can be charged with respiratory new life into the Blue Raiders, who made 10 bowl video games in 18 seasons beneath Stockstill however reached 10 wins solely as soon as again in 2009. MTSU completed 4-8 (3-5 Convention USA) this season. Athletic director Chris Massaro referred to parting with Stockstill as “one of the crucial troublesome days in my tenure, however one I really feel is critical in our aspiration to compete and win championships.”
Mason introduced a teaching sabbatical in January following his lone season as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, saying, “I stay up for spending time with my household to relaxation and replicate on alternatives inside the sport I like.” He subsequently spent the 2023 season as a colour analyst on ESPN broadcasts.
The 54-year-old Mason is acquainted with the native panorama at Center Tennessee because it’s simply 38 miles from the Vanderbilt campus. Although Mason’s current expertise is on the Energy 5 stage and within the NFL, he has some Group of 5 expertise from his days as an assistant for Ohio and New Mexico State, amongst others.
Although his time at Vanderbilt ended with a 27-55 report, Mason led the Commodores to bowl appearances in 2016 and 2018. Whereas that fell in need of the usual set by predecessor James Franklin, it marked an excellent tenure by the usual of virtually every other coach in program historical past. Mason’s substitute at Vanderbilt, Clark Lea, is 9-27 via three seasons.
