Derek Mason is not one to shy away from a challenge.
The 44-year-old does coach football at Vanderbilt University, after all. Few jobs in college football pose a biggest test than winning consistently at a mid-sized, academic heavyweight that lines up against many of the game’s behemoths in the SEC.
But Mason is not backing down entering his fifth season. In fact, he is doubling down that the 2018 Commodores will be ready to compete with anyone.
“Watch out,” Mason warned on Thursday at SEC Media Days. “I'm telling you right now, this team is going to show up.