Derek Mason
FILE - In this Nov. 28, 2020, file photo, Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller, right, kicks off as Ryan McCord (27) holds to start the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Columbia, Mo. With the kick, Fuller became the first female to play in a Southeastern Conference football game. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)
Amid anguish of pandemic, sports offered memorable moments

By John Marshall Dec. 25, 2020 01:01 PM EST

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea hugs Notre Dame's Michael Vinson (65) before an NCAA college football game against Louisville, in Louisville, Ky., in this Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, file photo. Vanderbilt is negotiating a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea to make the former Commodores player its new head coach. Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press details of a contract were still being worked out but Lea was the school's top choice. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
AP sources: Vandy negotiating to hire Clark Lea as coach

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 14, 2020 07:44 PM EST

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) greets friends in the stadium after defeating Kentucky during in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
SEC nearing finish line in fragile, virus-disrupted season

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 02, 2020 02:43 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2020, file photo, Vanderbilt interim athletic director Candice Lee answers questions during a news conference in Nashville, Tenn. Lee said Monday that Vanderbilt has an opportunity to put its money where its mouth is and prove its commitment to football as they search for a new football coach to replace Derek Mason, who was fired Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
AD: Vandy coaching search chance to show winning commitment

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 30, 2020 04:45 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 31, 2020, file photo, Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason looks on from the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Nashville, Tenn. Vanderbilt women's soccer goalkeeper Sarah Fuller has practiced with the football team, and coach Derek Mason says she's an option at kicker Saturday against Missouri. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Vanderbilt fires coach Derek Mason in his 7th season

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 29, 2020 03:17 PM EST

Oklahoma State running back Dezmon Jackson (27) scores against Texas Tech in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Nov. 28, 2020 08:51 PM EST

In this image provided by Vanderbilt Athletics, Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller, right, slaps hands with a teammate during NCAA college football practice, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Fuller, a goalkeeper on the Commodores' women's soccer team, will don a football uniform on Vanderbilt's sideline and she is poised to become the first woman to play in a Power 5 game when the Commodores take on Missouri. (Vanderbilt Athletics via AP)
Column: Sports hanging by the thread of the almighty dollar

By Paul Newberry Nov. 27, 2020 04:59 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt yells at the officials during an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The SEC came into this season with a contingency plan to deal with coronavirus-related issues. “Obviously, we can’t predict the future,” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “I believe we all knew when we started this, that there were no guarantees.” (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
SEC adapting to help league crown champion during pandemic

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 18, 2020 12:53 PM EST

Kentucky quarterback Joey Gatewood (2) scrambles with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Kentucky, Vanderbilt look to turn things around in SEC clash

By Gary B. Graves Nov. 12, 2020 01:09 PM EST

Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) pushes away Tennessee defensive back Kenney Solomon (31) during an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Combo of injuries, opt outs taking toll on SEC rosters

By Brett Martel Oct. 28, 2020 05:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, file photo, Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin watches on from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game Florida, in Oxford, Miss. Kiffin's first season at Mississippi has been anything but boring so far: Three straight shootouts, a quarterback putting up huge numbers and the nation's worst defense statistically. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning, File)
Virus wreaking havoc on SEC with Saban now testing positive

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 14, 2020 06:31 PM EDT

Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) throws a pass as Texas A&M defensive lineman Micheal Clemons (2) pressures him during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
LSU looks to bounce back when defending champs visit Vandy

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 01, 2020 11:33 AM EDT

Vanderbilt leaning on defense in tough SEC-only schedule

By Teresa M. Walker Sep. 01, 2020 08:03 AM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Derek Mason has plenty of experience back on his Vanderbilt defense. Better yet, the coach believes his Commodores are fast, talented...

Arp High School's varsity volleyball team approaches the net from a safe distance to wave to the Cumberland Academy team in lieu of shaking hands at the start of a match at Cumberland Academy on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Tyler, Texas. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP)
The Latest: Vanderbilt football returns after COVID-19 pause

By The Associated Press Aug. 26, 2020 03:31 PM EDT

Vandy player expelled for violating sexual misconduct policy

Jul. 02, 2020 08:02 PM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Vanderbilt football player dismissed from the team and expelled for violating the university's sexual misconduct policy in October...