Through a difficult season between a winless start and outbreaks of COVID-19 throughout the program, coach Derek Mason has tried to navigate something he’s never done.

As the Commodores have continued to struggle, Mason’s job security has come into question. This is Mason’s seventh season on the West End, and the Commodores are coming off a 3-9 season, which matched his lowest win total since his first season at Vanderbilt.

At his Tuesday press conference, Mason was asked if he’s had discussion with any athletics department or university administrators.

“I haven’t had any conversations with anybody,” Mason said. “They know where I’m at. I think at the end of the day, I’ve got a great relationship with Dr. (Candice Storey) Lee. She’s been at most of our games this year. Tommy (McClelland) traveled with us and had a chance to pull back the curtain a little bit, see what this year has had in store for us a little bit. I talked with Chancellor (Daniel) Diermeier at the beginning of the season. Obviously through COVID, continue to get updates of where we are.”

Mason then explained what he thinks is the administration’s perspective of his job description.

“But right now I think they’re letting me do my job, and they understand week to week we’re going to put the best product out there that we can and I feel comfortable about how I continue to lead this team and that’s what we’re going to do and we’re going to go week to week in preparing,” he said. “This week is Florida. I haven’t had any other other conversations other than our numbers and are we healthy and can we play this week.”