Mason takes blame for Vanderbilt's poor 2014 season
Vanderbilt was bad last season; there's no way around it. And Derek Mason, coming off his first season as head coach, isn't afraid to admit it.
Speaking Monday at SEC Media Days, Mason took responsibility for the Commodores' 3-9 record and general lack of competitiveness in SEC play, where Vandy went 0-8.
"We weren’t a very competitive football team in 2014, and that’s on me. I take full responsibility for that," Mason said.
"We struggled to find identity. What we’ve tried to do in the last eight months is try to right the wrong."
When asked whether there's pressure to show improvement this season, Mason said, "It’s college football. I’ve been coaching 22 years. So my understanding is that every year I coach on a one-year mentality. That’s a mindset. That’s what you do. You understand exactly what this game is and what you have to do, and it’s about production. We’re going to be a better football team. What that is, I can’t predict wins. But I do know, in terms of being competitive, doing the right things and creating men that will thrive here in the SEC, I can do that. So I’m not going to be about predictions."
He added, "2014's got nothing to do with 2015 ... I think this football team is a different football team than we had a year ago."
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