The current state of Vanderbilt football and its inglorious history are woven together in one statistic: Commodores coach Derek Mason, who might be a loss or two away from becoming “embattled Commodores coach Derek Mason” is just 25-43 in six years at the helm . . . and also four wins away from fourth place on the program’s career wins list.
He might not get there if his ship continues to take water and sink deeper down the depths of the Southeastern Conference. Last season, Mason became the second Vandy coach to guide the program to multiple bowl games, but in both seasons, the Commodores lost their bowl game and finished 6-7.