In Derek Mason’s first season as head coach in 2024, Middle Tennessee went 3-9 overall and 2-6 against Conference USA programs. MTSU did the exact same thing in 2025.
The Blue Raiders hope Mason can help turn things around soon, though, as they haven’t had a winning season in league play since 2018.
Here’s more info about Mason:
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
What’s Middle Tennessee Head Coach Derek Mason’s Salary?
Mason signed a five-year contract with a base salary of about $1 million per year. He made $1 million in total pay in 2025, according to USA Today.
Derek Mason’s Coaching History
| Years | Team | Position |
| 2024-present | Middle Tenn. | HC |
| 2022 | Oklahoma State | DC |
| 2021 | Auburn | DC |
| 2014-20 | Vanderbilt | HC |
| 2010-13 | Stanford | DC |
| 2007-09 | Minnesota Vikings | DBs |
| 2005-06 | Ohio | WRs |
| 2004 | New Mexico State | WRs |
| 2003 | Saint Mary’s | Co-DC |
| 2002 | Utah | WRs |
| 1999-2001 | Bucknell | DBs |
| 1997-98 | Idaho State | RBs |
| 1995-96 | Weber State | WRs |
| 1994 | Mesa CC | WRs |
What’s Middle Tennessee Head Coach Derek Mason’s Record?
Mason is 33-73 in the FBS as a head coach. That’s from his time at MTSU and as Vanderbilt’s head coach from 2014-20. He’s 0-2 in bowl games.
How Old Is Middle Tennessee Head Coach Derek Mason?
Mason is 56 years old.
Middle Tennessee Head Coach Derek Mason’s Background
Mason has worked with a plethora of teams at both the pro and college levels.
He was Oklahoma State’s defensive coordinator in 2022. The Cowboys ranked eighth in the Big 12 in total defense with 440.8 yards per game allowed and gave up 29.3 points per game, which was the sixth-fewest in the league.
The year before, he was Auburn’s DC. The Tigers were fifth in scoring defense (22.2 points per game allowed) and eighth in total defense (369.8 yards per game allowed) in the SEC in 2021.
Before that, Mason was the head coach at Vanderbilt, where he reached two bowl games.
He’s been a successful assistant throughout his career. From 2010-13, he was the defensive coordinator at Stanford. From 2007-09, he worked with defensive backs with the Minnesota Vikings.
He also was a co-defensive coordinator at Saint Mary’s (2003) and coached defensive backs at Bucknell (1999-2001) and running backs at Idaho State (1997-98). In fact, he’s spent a good amount of time coaching on the offensive side of the ball, having worked with wide receivers at Ohio (2005-06), New Mexico State (2004), Utah (2002), Weber State (1995-96), and Mesa Community College (1994).
