Report: Former OSU Defensive Coordinator Derek Mason Next Head Coach of Middle Tennessee State

Former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Derek Mason will get another chance at a head coaching gig.

Mason is expected to be hired as the next head coach at Middle Tennessee, according to a report by 247Sports.

In Mason’s lone year leading the defense in 2022, the Cowboys ranked fifth in the Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing 28.9 points per game, and eighth in total defense, allowing an average of 435.7 yards. He had some big shoes to fill after taking over for Jim Knowles, who was hired away by Ohio State, and faced substantial roster turnover. After his contract at OSU expired, Mason took a sabbatical. It looks like that was short-lived.

Mason spent seven years as the head coach at Vanderbilt, amassing a 27-55 record. He then spent one year as the defensive coordinator at Auburn before coming to Stillwater. Middle Tennessee State fired coach Rick Stockstill after 18 years. The Blue Raiders went 4-8 this season and 3-5 in Conference USA games.