Derek Mason opens up about his relationship with Vanderbilt transfer Donovan Kaufman
By Keith Farner
Published:
A flavor of the Vanderbilt defense moved to The Plains this offseason not only in defensive coordinator Derek Mason, but also safety Donovan Kaufman, who chose Auburn over Texas once he entered the transfer portal.
Mason on Monday explained to reporters how he and Kaufman get along. Kaufman last season played in two games at Vanderbilt and made 15 tackles with five kickoff returns.
“Our relationship has been good,” Mason said, per Jordan D. Hill. “It’s going to continue to grow. I believe this much: we’re very much alike as part as personalities. He wants to win; I want to win. He’s a competitor; I’m a competitor.”
When he made the decision to transfer to Auburn, Kaufman explained how Mason was a factor in the decision.
“He’s very attention to detail. He’s a very hands-on coach. He knows how he wants it and he’s going to make sure that you get it like that. He wants the best from his players. And then outside of football, he’s a great man. You can ask anybody about him. Nobody’s ever had anything bad to say about him. I asked about him. Coaches tell me the same thing. I asked about Coach Mason and they were like, ‘I ain’t heard anything bad about him.’ I was like, ‘Yeah.’ He’s genuine. He’s a real guy.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
