Reinvigorated Derek Mason lastly appears like he is ‘received an opportunity’ at Center Tennessee after teaching sabbatical

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — When Derek Mason introduced he was taking a sabbatical from faculty teaching after serving as Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator in 2022, he famous that he’d spent 30 consecutive seasons in teaching and cited a need to take a break and spend time together with his household.

“I simply felt like I used to be drained and wanted a relaxation,” Mason stated. “The great Lord advised me it was time. Coaches do not step away generally after they’re speculated to, and when you do not step away, you aren’t getting refreshed.”

What could have gone ignored in Mason’s announcement was that he by no means deliberate to be gone for lengthy. He’ll be again in acquainted territory on an SEC sideline Saturday as the top coach of Center Tennessee because the Blue Raiders journey to face No. 6 Ole Miss.

“I by no means stated I used to be retired,” Mason advised CBS Sports activities final month inside his new workplace. “I stated ‘sabbatical.’ A sabbatical simply means you are taking a bit of little bit of time without work.”

In his 2022 announcement, Mason famous that – along with resting throughout his sabbatical – he additionally deliberate to “mirror on alternatives throughout the sport I like.”

That reflection finally led him simply 40 miles down I-24 from Nashville, which is a metropolis his household by no means stopped calling dwelling after Mason’s seven-year run as Vanderbilt’s head coach ended with one sport remaining within the COVID-19 season of 2020.

The Commodores had been so adversely impacted through the wackiness of that yr that they turned to the goalkeeper on their SEC championship ladies’s soccer crew, Sarah Fuller, to deal with kicking duties.

“There have been video games the place we should not have performed, however we performed,” Mason stated. “You simply needed to push by it due to TV contracts, this, that and the opposite.” 

Regardless of the weird circumstances, Vanderbilt’s administration ripped the wire on a training tenure that was profitable by this system’s historic customary. Amongst his achievements had been a three-game profitable streak over rival Tennessee, which stands as this system’s longest within the annual collection for the reason that Twenties. Although Mason did not match the usual of predecessor James Franklin, he did attain two bowls, which is greater than some other coach in program historical past except for Franklin.

“I used to be mad, not at anyone, simply at me, as a result of I believed perhaps I may have finished extra,” Mason stated. “I lastly needed to come to grips with, ‘you recognize what, I did what I may do.’ I did the very best I may do, and as soon as I put it to mattress, I used to be good. However I do not know of anybody that wishes to be advised to maneuver on.”

New vantage factors

Mason rapidly returned to teaching as Auburn’s defensive coordinator beneath Bryan Harsin in 2021 earlier than taking up the identical function at Oklahoma State beneath Mike Gundy in 2022. All of the whereas, the world of faculty soccer was altering in dramatic methods with NIL and the proliferation of transferring altering the game’s panorama.

“With Harsin at Auburn and being with Gundy at Oklahoma State, I had an opportunity to see lots of good for essentially the most half,” Mason stated. “And likewise some issues that you’ve got to pay attention to by way of resourcing and the place NIL is and what it’ll appear to be. One of the best factor I gained out of it was just a few new views.”

The sabbatical introduced much more vantage factors on the sport. Although he spent the 2023 season out of teaching, Mason nonetheless wore a headset as an analyst with the SEC Community. He additionally was a guide for Rice coach Mike Bloomgren because the Owls reached their second straight bowl.

Mason’s household was leery about him taking up the TV gig, and he rapidly discovered that it was a full-time job. He turned obsessive over preparation, noting that he was “afraid to be unhealthy” on air. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than he advised himself that if he was nonetheless devoting a lot time to soccer that he may as properly be doing it as a coach.

He initially thought an NFL assistant job is perhaps the transfer. Mason was on the Minnesota Vikings workers from 2007-09 and was in touch with former Vikings colleague Leslie Frazier all through final season as Frazier was on a sabbatical of his personal. Frazier landed as an assistant head coach with the Seattle Seahawks for 2024.

By then, Mason had already discovered his subsequent transfer.

“It simply so occurs that this job got here open,” Mason stated as he sat in entrance of a wall in his MTSU workplace that doubles as a mural depicting each county on this a part of Tennessee. “When it got here open, I did not assume a lot of it. I received a telephone name from some individuals who assist individuals right here. They requested if I might have any curiosity.”

‘Boro Constructed, Center Made

Mason did his homework. He’d be following a legend in Rick Stockstill, who was pushed out after 18 seasons at Center Tennessee. Stockstill went 113-111, reaching 10 bowls and posting an 82-58 mark in league video games throughout stints within the Solar Belt and Convention USA.

That might convey challenges.

However a robust basis was in place. A $66 million student-athlete efficiency heart is beneath building at Center Tennessee. It will likely be a long-awaited dwelling for the soccer program overlooking the north finish zone of Floyd Stadium with over 85,000 sq. toes housing all the pieces the Blue Raiders have to compete for Convention USA titles.

Moreover, Mason would not have to familiarize himself with the native panorama. He is aware of it properly from his time at Vanderbilt, which went 4-0 towards MTSU throughout Mason’s tenure.

He is been aggressive in group outreach and promotion, attempting to raise the profile of a Blue Raiders program positioned within the coronary heart of SEC nation and close to a booming metropolis that’s dwelling to NFL, NHL and MLS franchises. Mason can rattle off statistics in regards to the lots of MTSU alumni who stay inside a comparatively straightforward drive.

“So how come our stadium is not packed?” Mason stated. “That is a problem. I’ve checked out all these items. Since I employed a great workers, I have been in a position to focus a bit of bit on what we’re doing with our advertising and marketing. Who’re we? How are we touching our group and creating connections? You have a look at Boise State and (Appalachian) State, these communities are related with these applications. We have got to attach with our house as a way to make it work.”

He appreciates the varsity’s blue-collar ethos and has coined the slogan, “‘Boro Constructed, Center Made” to drive dwelling his crew’s reference to the DNA of the varsity and group. 

Feeling like he is received an opportunity

One straightforward approach to join with followers is to win. MTSU was picked to complete fourth within the Convention USA, regardless of the inevitably heavy roster attrition that comes with any teaching change on the Group of 5 stage within the switch portal period. 

Confirmed quarterback Nick Vattiato is again together with star tight finish Holden Willis. However each traces of scrimmage misplaced a number of confirmed gamers, which is able to take a look at the Blue Raiders as they face a tough schedule. Their September consists of a highway journey to Ole Miss, a sport towards CUSA stalwart Western Kentucky, a go to from Duke and a visit to play Group of 5 energy Memphis.

Even a Week 1 sport towards Tennessee Tech introduced challenges. The Blue Raiders led 24-11 within the fourth quarter earlier than their visiting FCS foe took the lead with a pair of fast scores. MTSU needed to mount a landing drive within the sport’s remaining minute to flee with a 32-25 win. Now, issues will get a lot harder.

“It should take a look at each little bit of who we’re,” Mason stated. “It should take a look at our depth, our character. It should take a look at if we’re what we predict we’re up entrance on either side of the ball. Then, after you get out of the primary 5 video games, you get into the midweek. That is a complete completely different animal.”

Center Tennessee will play Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday video games in October. That is a wrinkle he by no means encountered at Stanford, Vanderbilt, Auburn or Oklahoma State. However despite the fact that Mason’s latest teaching stops have come within the sport’s high conferences, he is fast to notice his expertise on the likes of Ohio, New Mexico State, Idaho State and Saint Mary’s.

There can be no tradition shock for him in Convention USA.

“I believe, for me, having been sufficient locations in my profession and seen sufficient issues, it was obvious to me — perhaps to not different individuals — that this was a great match,” Mason stated.

Mason assessed Convention USA as being “very equal,” whereas noting that Liberty, the reigning champion and favourite to win the 2024 title, is forward of the pack with its sources. However having only one faculty to chase in sources and institutional dedication is a welcome change from his final head teaching job. 

When Mason was at Vanderbilt, the opposite 13 groups within the SEC on the time — all state colleges with huge fan bases and donor bases — had been lapping the Commodores in funding. 

His return to an SEC sideline could be a cameo look towards the Rebels this week. However despite the fact that he is working totally on the less-glamorous facet of FBS soccer now, Mason lastly appears like he is on a fair enjoying area.

“No disrespect to anyone,” Mason stated. “However when is the final time Vanderbilt was picked fourth within the convention? I have not performed a sport, and I really feel like I’ve received an opportunity.”