'Right fit for me': Derek Mason hired as Oklahoma State's defensive coordinator
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
STILLWATER — After more than seven weeks with a vacant defensive coordinator position, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy landed on the man he wants to take the job.
On Wednesday, OSU officially announced the hiring of Derek Mason, 52, who most recently served as the defensive coordinator at Auburn for one season, following a seven-year stint as the head coach at Vanderbilt.
“After meaningful discussions with Coach Gundy these past few weeks about his vision for the program, it became apparent that leading the defense for the Cowboys was the right fit for me,” Mason said in a press release.
“I look forward to working with the student-athletes, coaches and staff as they continue to build a winning culture of success, inclusion and integrity on and off the field.”
Mason replaces Jim Knowles, who left Oklahoma State after four seasons as defensive coordinator to take the same job at Ohio State. In 2021, Knowles' defense was regarded as one of the best in the country.
Tramel's ScissorTales: Oklahoma State football's hiring of Derek Mason comes with promise & peril
Tramel: Conference realignment shows the Big 12 should make its divisions based on geography
In his one season at Auburn, Mason’s defense was 27th nationally in points allowed, giving up 21.8 per game, and 37th in third-down defense, allowing 35.8% of conversions.
“Derek is a great addition to Oklahoma State football and to our culture,” Gundy said. “I’m looking forward to getting him over here and getting started as soon as possible.”
The Auburn defense also finished among the FBS leaders in fourth down defense (No. 13), defensive touchdowns (No. 13), tackles for loss (No. 17) and rushing defense (No. 29).
Before his season at Auburn, Mason spent seven seasons at Vanderbilt where he became the second head coach in program history to lead the school to multiple bowl appearances. His 2018 team won six games and capped the regular season with a third straight victory over rival Tennessee, marking the Commodores’ fifth win over the Vols in seven years. That season finished with Vanderbilt’s second bowl appearance in three years under Mason.
Mason guided Vanderbilt to its eighth postseason appearance in 2016 and finished the regular season 6-6, including four wins over the final six games. The season featured SEC victories over Georgia, Ole Miss and No. 24 Tennessee.
More: Here are the OSU football players in the transfer portal & those declared for the 2022 NFL Draft
Prior to Vanderbilt, Mason spent four seasons at Stanford and was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2011 after helping lead the program to a pair of Rose Bowl appearances and consecutive Pac-12 titles. Mason’s elite defensive units at Stanford ranked among the NCAA’s best in defensive efficiency for three consecutive seasons.
In 2012, Mason was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.
Prior to his arrival at Stanford, Mason served as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2007-09.
Before joining the Vikings, Mason had a variety of stops at the college level, including Ohio, New Mexico State, St. Mary’s, Utah, Bucknell, Weber State, Idaho State and Mesa (Arizona) Community College.
As a player, Mason was a two-year starter and four-year letter winner at Northern Arizona, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1993.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Derek Mason hired by Oklahoma State as defensive coordinator
