After just picking up a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Austin Davis, it’s possible Auburn football may have to search for a new coordinator on the other side of the ball.
Following the end of the 2021 season, Ohio State lured DC Jim Knowles away from the Cowboys, and according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Auburn football defensive coordinator Derek Mason has emerged as a “strong candidate” for Oklahoma State’s vacancy in the same position.
Knowles’ defense led the Big-12 in 2021, allowing an average of 297.9 yards per game. The Cowboys’ defense also had the most sacks in the conference while allowing the fewest touchdowns and yards per play.
SOURCES: Auburn DC Derek Mason has emerged as a strong candidate for the Oklahoma State defensive coordinator vacancy. The Tigers ranked No. 4 in the SEC this year in fewest yards per play allowed.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 20, 2022
Derek Mason took over as defensive coordinator for the Tigers in 2021 following the hiring of head coach Bryan Harsin. Mason spent the previous seven years as head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores.
During a rough season that saw Auburn football finish with its first losing record (6-7) since 2012, Mason still managed to craft a lockdown defense that ranked third-best in the SEC and 27th best nationally.
Pistols Firing Blog reports that money could be the thing to watch with Mason. Currently, he’s making $1.5 million dollars as defensive coordinator on the Plains while Jim Knowles was earning $800,000 with the Cowboys. However, Mason appears to be at least somewhat interested in the job and was allegedly in Stillwater this week:
Been told Mason was on campus in Stillwater this week. We’ll see what comes next.
— Eli Lederman (@ByEliLederman) January 20, 2022
It’s been 43 days since Jim Knowles left for Ohio State. https://t.co/GRFHWwJmKj
Bryan Harsin and Auburn football are still in the process of hiring a new defensive line coach after Nick Eason announced his move to Clemson earlier this month. Hopefully, that process doesn’t evolve to include a defensive coordinator.