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Vanderbilt football: 5 candidates to replace Derek Mason

By Brad Berreman

Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason walks the sideline during the second quarter of their game against South Carolina at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.Nas Vandy Carolina Gamer 001
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason walks the sideline during the second quarter of their game against South Carolina at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.Nas Vandy Carolina Gamer 001 /
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Credit: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Credit: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images /

3. Willie Fritz, Tulane Head Coach

Fritz is in his fifth season as the head coach at Tulane, with a 5-5 mark this season highlighted by a win over Army. The Green Wave reached its first bowl game in five years under him in 2018, then followed in 2019 by reaching a bowl game in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the program since 1979 and 1980.

Fritz had a long and successful head coaching run at the lower levels before landing at Georgia Southern (17-7 over two seasons; 2014 and 2015) and then Tulane. He went 97-47 from 1997-2009 at Division II Central Missouri, then 40-15 at FCS Sam Houston State from 2010-2013. The next step for him is a Power 5 job, and at 60 years old (61 when the 2021 season would normally start) the time to take an available opportunity might be now. Assuming he wants such an opportunity, of course.

Fritz has proven he can build a program, most recently taking Tulane from 4-8 and 5-7 in his first two seasons to credibility over the most recent three campaigns. Vanderbilt needs that type of coach, even if Fritz would not come with a lot of national buzz.

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