Vanderbilt's Mason talks difference between competing and winning
HOOVER - Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason took to the podium at SEC Media Days on Monday with a focus on turning competition into wins. Mason made it a point that the Commodores have to elevate from competing to winning.
"This football team knows how to compete," Mason said. "But it's not about competing, it's about winning. ... We let some things slide, we missed some opportunities, and that has not gone unnoticed by this football team."
Mason took control of the Commodores in 2014 after three straight seasons of bowl appearances under James Franklin, but failed to win an SEC game in the 2014 season. He only has seven wins under his belt in two seasons in Nashville. The Commodores finished 2015 with a 4-8 record and finished fourth in the SEC East with a 2-6 conference record.
Vanderbilt’s defense was the better side of the ball last season, allowing 350.5 yards and 21 points per game, strong enough for a ranking of 22nd and 28th in the FBS respectively, mostly thanks to Mason deciding to call the defensive plays himself.
"People looked at me a year ago and thought I was crazy for going back and calling defense," Mason said. "But that's my wheelhouse. I'm a head coach who understands exactly what my strengths are."
The offense, however, averaged 15.2 points and 326.5 yards per game, which graded 123rd and 116th in the FBS in 2015.
Mason recently named Kyle Shurmur as the starting quarterback for the 2016 season, giving a definite answer to the question of who would lead the Commodores' offense this fall.
"Towards the end of the season, you saw an occasion for a young quarterback by the name of Kyle Shurmur," Mason said. "He played some meaningful football in those last three-four games. That's important. I have named Kyle Shurmur the starter, that's where we are. ... He is the guy to lead this football team."
But Mason also believes that the way to progress is through the team as a whole.
"This team's got a team-first mentality," Mason said. "We've established a team-first mantra. We don't care about who's standing on the hill, who takes the accolades. ... I believe the winds of change are coming."