Greeson: Derek Mason's foundation work paying off for Vandy

Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason speaks to reporters during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason speaks to reporters during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Thursday, July 18, 2019, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

HOOVER, Ala. - Derek Mason opened the final parade of possibilities and parables from the podium here at SEC Media Days.

Starting his sixth season as the football coach at Vanderbilt, Mason walked into the spotlight as SEC commissioner Greg Sankey shared Mason's background of hosting a midnight R&B radio show during his college days at Northern Arizona.

"In terms of the remarks about being a DJ and spinning records, you know, it's nice to have some transferrable skills when you're out of work, you know?" Mason said. "That's sort of what happens every once and a while in our business."

That does happen. And Mason likely at one time felt that pressure as much as anyone in college football's toughest conference.

Following James Franklin, the most successful Commodores football coach since Sewanee was in the SEC, Mason's early struggles were magnified by Franklin's over-achievements and flamboyance.

photo Jay Greeson

Mason lost 11 of his first 14 games at Vanderbilt and finished year two 7-17, and there likely were a number of folks in Nashville ready to send Mason back to the graveyard shift somewhere deep on the AM dial.

But after he cleaned up a litany of internal issues left by the previous regime, Mason's foundation has taken hold.

Sprinkle in the best success against your in-state rival since before the Great Depression, and, well, the hot seat becomes a comfortable one, and the questions about should Vandy keep its coach become can Vandy keep its coach.

"Every day is a job interview," Mason said about entering his sixth season.

Since the rocky start in West End, Mason has impressed on that daily conversation, especially against the state's flagship school in a rivalry that has been more one-sided than a political discussion in the Trump house.

From 1927 through 2015, Tennessee was 73-10-3 over Vandy. In the last three years, Mason has been perfect against the Volunteers. And completely secure professionally.

"Heading into our sixth season, (the success and security) really speaks to the idea that my mission statement is in line with the university's," Mason said.

Don't confuse secure with satisfied, though.

"We have to keep improving to the point that we are expecting to make a bowl and expecting to win bowl games," Mason said earlier this week. "For us, (beating UT three straight times) means we're relevant, OK? But for us, we've got to continue that we just don't focus on Tennessee, we focus on winning games in our conference.

"I believe right now this is the best football team that I've had. I believe Tennessee is making a move, going to make their program better. But the reality is, for us, it will be about what happens in 2019, not what happened in '16, '17 and '18."

That has helped within the program and around it.

The players talked about increased energy on campus and in the stadium. The buzz has been noticed - by players, fans and even rivals.

"More people are starting to like Vanderbilt now," said Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Vandy's star running back who totaled 1,244 yards and a gaudy 7.9 average last season. "It's a great feeling knowing you run the state. Nashville is the capital anyway."

Sounds like a rivalry again, which is a credit to Mason passing that daily interview process.

Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.

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