11. Derek Mason – Vanderbilt
Record at School
13-24
Ranking Justification
Vanderbilt has improved every year since Derek Mason took the job in 2014. They earned a bowl birth by upsetting a ranked Tennessee team in their final regular season game. The Vandy job doesn’t come with as much resources as schools like Florida, Georgia, or LSU. Mason is doing more with less.
The Commodores had just two double-digit losses last season and are on the path to future success. Capitalizing with a bowl win wouldn’t have hurt, but merely earning a bowl birth (the seventh in school history) is a significant accomplishment.
Worst Loss
What’s worse than being shut out? Losing by 50.
Best Win
A win over a ranked opponent to earn Mason’s first bowl appearance.