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10 college football coaches on the hot seat in 2015

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Nov 22, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Al Golden (L) congratulates Virginia Cavaliers head coach Mike London (R) after their game at Scott Stadium. The Cavaliers won 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Al Golden (L) congratulates Virginia Cavaliers head coach Mike London (R) after their game at Scott Stadium. The Cavaliers won 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Despite a history of futility in the toughest conference in the country, James Franklin quickly turned Vanderbilt into a legitimate threat in the SEC by notching 24 wins in three seasons as head coach of the Commodores. However, following back-to-back nine-win seasons and an unprecedented three consecutive bowl games, Franklin left for the job at Penn State.

The Commodores hired Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason to replace, and the early results were disastrous.

In his first game as a college head coach Mason’s team was embarrassed 37-7 by Temple. The Commodores posted an 0-8 record in SEC play and were outscored by an average score of 35-13 in league games. In their three wins, Vanderbilt beat non-conference cupcakes UMass, Charleston Southern and Old Dominion by a total of just 18 combined points.

Mason and offensive coordinator Karl Dorrell played musical chairs with four quarterbacks all season, which resulted in many of the team’s offensive struggles. Overall, Vandy ranked dead last in the SEC and among the worst in the nation in scoring offense (17.2 points per game), rushing offense (109.3 yards per game), and total offense (288.3 yards per game). The Commodores finished No. 13 in the SEC (ahead of only LSU) and No. 107 nationally in passing offense with 179.1 yards per game through the air.

The defense wasn’t much better, as Vanderbilt allowed an SEC-worst 33.3 points per game. The team also had a minus-16 turnover margin, which ranked last in the league and No. 124 out of 128 FBS teams nationally.

After the season, Mason dismissed Dorrell and defensive coordinator David Kotulski. Former Wisconsin OC Andy Ludwig was hired to run the offense, while Mason himself will coordinate the defense – a desperate move after just one year on campus.

Mason is a terrific defensive mind and he has the tools to be successful as a college head coach. But if he doesn’t get things turned around quickly in Nashville, he could be looking for a new job soon.

Next: 8. Paul Rhoads, Iowa State

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