Auburn, Alabama – Former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason has emerged as a strong candidate to join the crew of Auburn Coach Brian Harsen for the first year as Defense Coordinator. The decision may come before the end of the week.
Mason spent seven seasons as head coach for Vanderbilt, going 27-66 and taking two teams for ball matches. He moved to Vanderbilt from Stanford, where he built a reputation as a senior defense coordinator.
From 2007-2009, Mason coached a defensive full-back for the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL. His biography is as follows:
1994 Mesa CC (WR); 1995-1996 Weber State (WR); 1997-1998 Idaho (RB); 1999-2001 Bucknell (dB); 2002 Utah (WR / ST); 2003 Saint Mary (AHC / Co-DC); 2004 New Mexico State (WR); 2005-2006 Ohio (WR); 2007-2009 Minnesota Vikings (dB); 2010 Stanford (DB); 2011 Stanford (AHC / Co-DC / DB); 2012-2013 Stanford (AHC / DC); 2014-2020 Vanderbilt (HC).
2 BOISE AUBURN-BOUND Assistants
He is expected to be joined by two assistants from Boise, where Harsene was a head coach for seven seasons, in Auburn. Brad Biddle, offensive line coach and running game coordinator, and Spencer Danielson, defensive line coach and joint defense coordinator, agreed to take the move, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Biddle can coach the front line at Auburn or he can coach tight ends. It is not certain what position Danielson will train in Auburn.
Porter takes a look
Harsen is interviewed by Larry Porter, tight Auburn coach and special teams coordinator. He appears to be the first, and so far, only Auburn assistant to give an interview. No Auburn coaches have been fired or told they will be back.
