Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason watches the action from the sideline in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. Georgia won 31-14. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)After going winless in Southeastern Conference play during his first season as Vanderbilt’s football coach, Derek Mason guided the Commodores to victories this year over Missouri and Kentucky.
Vanderbilt improved from 3-9 to 4-8 overall, with two-point losses to Western Kentucky and Florida preventing the Commodores from reaching their fourth bowl in five years. Mason was a guest Friday on “Press Row” on Chattanooga’s ESPN 105.1 FM.
Q: Do you come away from this season pleased with the improvement or longing for more?
A: “I thought we showed improvement defensively in a couple of different areas, but for me it’s about working towards being relevant. We’re never satisfied when there are things out there to be had like opportunities for postseason play. We left some things out there, so I’m still hungry and this team is still hungry.”
Q: Ralph Webb rushed for 1,152 yards and Trent Sherfield had a solid year at receiver, but how would you assess your quarterback play?