Goodbye, Derek Mason

Vanderbilt has fired Derek Mason after the Commodores were drubbed 41-0 on the road to Missouri.

Mason had a 27-55 record and a woeful 10-46 SEC record. He had a coaching record of .333, and he was sixth in Vanderbilt’s all-time wins table with just 27. He also ranked fifth in losses at the school.

“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,” athletic director Candice Storey 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.”

One of Mason’s finest moves was to give Sarah Fuller – the first female to play in a FBS game – the chance to kick against Missouri. It was one of the most beautiful moments in the 2020 season.

Sadly, the rest of Vanderbilt’s season – and his reign- was quite the opposite.