Derek Mason, the former Stanford defensive coordinator plucked by Vanderbilt to replace James Franklin, is by all accounts, a stand-up gentleman and a fine defensive coordinator.
He just might not be a very good head football coach.
Vanderbilt opened the season by getting rolled by Temple, at home, to the tune of 37-7. The next week, the Commodores followed up by losing to Ole Miss at home, 41-3.
But with the season already on the brink, and with the mighty University of Massachusetts Minutemen on their doorstep, Derek Mason took charge and delivered an impassioned speech to his players.
The speech might have worked too, as Vanderbilt picked up their first win of the season, 34-31.
