Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Sports

    Vandy’s Year of Turmoil Continues

    Ron WynnBy Ron WynnDecember 3, 2020Updated:December 4, 2020No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    By Ron Wynn

    NASHVILLE, TN — A very hard year for the Vanderbilt Commodores’ football team got even tougher this week with the Sunday announcement that head coach Derek Mason had been fired. With an 0-8 record and facing the distinct possibility of having the first winless season in the 117-year history of the program, the move was expected after the season. But few anticipated it would come just as the team heads to Athens this week for a game against the ninth-ranked Bulldogs.

    After seven years, the string ran out for Mason, someone universally respected around the nation as a man of great integrity and character. However ultimately the fact he’d never had a winning season, and the Commodores being 3-17 the last two years and currently on a 12-game SEC losing streak, outweighed him being the first Vanderbilt coach to beat Tennessee three straight seasons. Mason’s teams played in the 2016 Independence Bowl and 2018 Texas Bowl.

    A host of names are being floated in various publications as potential replacements. Vanderbilt athletic director Candace Storey Lee praised Mason in a statement, acknowledging that “Derek cares deeply about the student-athletes under his charge. His tenure at Vanderbilt will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to our student-athletes, not only on the field, but in the classroom and as young people.”

    Offensive coordinator Todd Fitch will serve as interim coach while the Commodores prepare to meet Georgia, and also whenever/if the game with Tennessee is rescheduled. It could be played either Dec. 12 or 19. The last highlight of the Vandy program under Mason was Sarah Fuller’s successful execution of a squib kick against Missouri Saturday. That made her the first woman to appear in a Power Five Conference game. 

    The Bulldogs hopes’ for another shot at the SEC title took a big hit when they lost 44-28 to Florida. They have had season-long problems at quarterback as neither starter Stetson Bennett or backup D’Wan Mathis have given them the type of consistent production they need in big games. The two combined for three interceptions against Florida. Explosive running back Zamir White is the latest Bulldog to continue their long pattern of excellence in the rushing game.

    Realistically, no one expects a Commodore team already shaken by the decision to can its head coach to do much against Georgia on the road. The offense didn’t even generate 200 yards total against a Missouri team whose defense is nowhere near as tough as the Bulldogs. Vandy’s best hopes for preventing a winless season lie in the home finale against Tennessee, assuming this game even gets played.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Ron Wynn

    Related Posts

    LA Lakers Sold in Historic $10 Billion Deal

    June 21, 2025

    (BPRW) Dr. Eli Joseph Secures USA Basketball Coaching License, Aims to Revolutionize Sports Training

    May 14, 2025

    Tennessee State University Names Reggie Barlow as Head Football Coach

    April 10, 2025

    Fisk makes more athletic history

    March 13, 2025

    Black Cowboys Take Center Stage: 8 Seconds Rodeo Expands for Its Biggest Year Yet!

    March 11, 2025

    New series highlights Black figure skaters

    February 20, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Business

    Charlotte Knight Griffin Takes Office as TBA President-Elect

    June 30, 2025

    EXCLUSIVE OP-ED: President Joe Biden Commemorating Juneteenth

    June 19, 2025

    FUNdraising Good Times Report from Neighborhoods USA Conference in Jacksonville

    June 4, 2025
    1 2 3 … 384 Next
    Education
    Featured

    Fisk University Welcomes Antonio Barrino to Lead Band Program and Expand Music Education

    By adminJuly 7, 2025

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Fisk University proudly announces the appointment of Antonio Barrino to the Department of…

    Austin Peay’s MPH program receives $27K for childhood literacy initiative. Community LIFT Project to be implemented at Head Start centers this fall

    June 30, 2025

    TSU, State, reach agreement to reallocate $96M to school

    June 26, 2025

    TSU student lands prestigious internship at Harvard Medical School

    June 25, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/