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Oklahoma State Football

Report: Contract Details for Oklahoma State DC Derek Mason Have Been Reported

February 7, 2022
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STILLWATER – New Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Derek Mason’s contract details have been announced. Chris Becker of the O’Colly was first to report Mason is set to sign a two-year contract worth $1.1 million a year. According to Oklahoma State, the official contract is still in the works with the legal team.

The contract would make Mason the highest paid assistant coach in Oklahoma State. Mason made $1.5 million last season at Auburn.

There’s more good news on the coaching contract front as Pokes Report has learned there will be more happy coaches on the football staff.

Yet to be announced are raises across the board for the Oklahoma State football full-time coaching staff. This includes everybody with the possible exception of offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn. Dunn was the only coach who had a contract that did not expire during the COVID-19 pandemic year. Dunn still may be included as head coach Mike Gundy was seeking raises for all full-time coaching staff. The football support staff had raises activated at the end the 2021 calendar year. Gundy also is expected to get a raise in his salary along with the move made last September to re-instate the terms of his previous contract. All of those actions should be finalized at the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents meeting in March.

Mason was hired by Mike Gundy in late January after a near-month-long coaching search following the 2021-22 season. Former DC Jim Knowles left for the DC role at Ohio State the first part of December following the regular season.

Mason comes to Stillwater following a one-year stint at Auburn as the defensive coordinator last year where he saw the Tiger defense improve in nearly every category across the board. Prior to his stop at Auburn, Mason was the head coach at Vanderbilt from 2014 to 2020. He also coached against Oklahoma State in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for Stanford.

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Report: Contract Details for Oklahoma State DC Derek Mason Have Been Reported

10,923 Views | 51 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by CaliforniaCowboy
Zen
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3:12p, 2/7/22
I like the idea of just a 2 year contract for Mason. He probably asked for that because with the exception of Vanderbilt, he has not stayed put for long. If he does not measure up you can get rid of him in 2 seasons without having to spend a buy out. With his history and trying to climb the ladder, probably back into a head coaching job, I doubt he will be a Cowboy more than 2 years. He took a pay cut to come here. Must be some good reason for that. Cowboys have the talent he needs to showcase his skills so he can move on up in a few years, just like Knowles. Let's see what he can do. Now we just need an experienced and gifted OC to help get the program to the level that Gundy is seeking. Off to a good start.
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TUSKAPOKE
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3:22p, 2/7/22
AUBURN APPEARS TO BE A RAGING DUMPSTER FIRE. GLAD HE IS HERE AND SIGNED. GET THE OTHER COACHES SIGNED AND KEEP THE CONTINUITY GOING. GO POKES!!!
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Orangeheart72
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3:36p, 2/7/22
Zen, I think Dunn is doing fine. In the Big XII Championship, our predominant running back was out, two offensive lineman were out and Spencer, under a huge rush, threw a couple ill-advised balls that may have made a difference in the game. If you watched the ND game, we started slow but even with one mature WR, we were eating their (top 10) defense up second part of second quarter through the whole second half. Presley made a goal line mistake, Spencer fumbled on the 10 and we still beat ND. Dunn should look much better throughout this year since there's more receiver talent with experience, our qb is experienced and running back depth looks decent.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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4:02p, 2/7/22
our offense has continued to decline over the past few years. (statistically speaking)

Knowles did NOT "move up", he moved laterally.

I have no clue why Mason cam to OSU for less money, and would accept a 2-year contract. Sounds like he needs a better agent, or he is so confident in himself, that he's not concerned about his future
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Polston31
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4:36p, 2/7/22
Kasey dunn is a baller oc that has held our offense together during some tough stretches and has had curve ball after curve ball thrown at him all while building a new receiver core from the ground up. Mason is a great hire. Mike Gundy is a great head coach. We have joe bob hammer duffie and Richmond as 4 of the best assistants in the country. Cowboy fans should be proud of the squad these coaches have put together. Gundy has us in a great position going forward. Go pokes!
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Polston31 • 6:56p, 2/7/22
nice statistical support...

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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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7:57p, 2/7/22
It ain't always just about money.
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Polston31
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 8:11p, 2/7/22
Sometimes the stats don't tell the whole story.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Polston31 • 5:37a, 2/8/22
Polston31 said:
Sometimes the stats don't tell the whole story.
and sometimes a story takes on a life of it's own without a framework of tangible evidence....

oh my.... the poor coach had it so rough, like no other coach in the country experienced ever before... when one tells the same story every year, and the results do not improve, what do you call that?

I don't wish ill will on any of our coaches or players, but we should be able to state the obvious, regardless of what context it is framed.
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Polston31
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 6:58a, 2/8/22
I don't know what you would call it but my guess is a failure. Not here to argue so we are clear. With that said It's not a pity party for dunn I just believe the at he has had to rebuild his receiving core the last 2 years and that's a big factor. Sanders trying to teach these kids on the fly in division 1 football games gotta be tough. Then having a musical chairs on the o line during the same time. New rb each year. Dunn's first season calling plays was the Covid year. Simply saying he had things going against him so the chances of great success were harder much harder. It seems to be coming together now. I also think he had to battle Gundy holding him back some and not letting him be himself. Dunn himself admitted it was kind of necessary because the injuries etc. if we can stay healthy I think dunn will have much better success. I can't write off a guy when all the evidence right in front of me. Hell jim Knowles defense wasn't really that good until 2-2.5 years into the job. Things take time. I think personally this is the situation with dunn. It is my opinion dunn hasn't had the success some want because of all the factors. Not because he is just bad at his job. Gundy is to smart to keep him if he was actually a bad coordinator
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Polston31 • 7:05a, 2/8/22
Polston31 said:
I don't know what you would call it but my guess is a failure. Not here to argue so we are clear. With that said It's not a pity party for dunn I just believe the at he has had to rebuild his receiving core the last 2 years and that's a big factor. Sanders trying to teach these kids on the fly in division 1 football games gotta be tough. Then having a musical chairs on the o line during the same time. New rb each year. Dunn's first season calling plays was the Covid year. Simply saying he had things going against him so the chances of great success were harder much harder. It seems to be coming together now. I also think he had to battle Gundy holding him back some and not letting him be himself. Dunn himself admitted it was kind of necessary because the injuries etc. if we can stay healthy I think dunn will have much better success. I can't write off a guy when all the evidence right in front of me. Hell jim Knowles defense wasn't really that good until 2-2.5 years into the job. Things take time. I think personally this is the situation with dunn. It is my opinion dunn hasn't had the success some want because of all the factors. Not because he is just bad at his job. Gundy is to smart to keep him if he was actually a bad coordinator
never once did I mention Dunn, but somehow the story keeps growing and growing... my comment had more to do with implying that Dunn is likely not the predominant cause of our offensive decline

Knowles defense improved every year... and improvement is what we expect.

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Polston31
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 7:13a, 2/8/22
Well you mentioned the offense declining year after year and wanted evidence. Just reading your posts would suggest you are talking about dunn. And your replied to my post talking about dunn and the things he faced. It definitely seems you are referring to him.
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Polston31
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In reply to Polston31 • 7:14a, 2/8/22
We do want improvements and now that the rebuild of the offense isn't as big of an undertaking maybe we will see the improvements. Knowles had to rebuild too and they got better as they got older. Offense has a chance to do the same thing
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Polston31
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In reply to Polston31 • 7:16a, 2/8/22
I guess I should ask then what statistical support you were asking for. It seemed to me you were talking about offense
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Orangeheart72
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 7:42a, 2/8/22
And......a million dollars plus a year isn't exactly slumming either for Derek Mason. But I think this is about the next step for our new DC in two to four years. And that's fine, as his success is OSU's success. Either he gets another quarter to half million to land at (Michigan, ND, USC, etc.) as DC or more likely he becomes a head coach at a place where he has a reasonable chance of success (a Baylor, Penn St., Washington, Miami). And as a long shot......he may have discussed with Gundy where Gundy is in his career and retirement plans. I could see HCMG retiring at some point and then perhaps taking a shot a couple years later (after some media work) at a Miami, Florida State or more likely an NFL team. At that point, a successful coordinator might move up at OSU which is a pretty well positioned/resourced school anymore.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Polston31 • 7:49a, 2/8/22
It could be that's what you wanted it to mean, rather than what I intended.

I said the last few years, few generally means 2+ otherwise it's typically a couple. (Dunn's tenure is only a couple of years). Few does have several meanings, but it's more specific when referencing something measurable like time.

How much is a few minutes?

A " few " typically refers to the vicinity of 3 to 7 of something. A few days would be longer than a couple (two) but shorter than a week (seven).

Here's the data, maybe you can explain the decline.... (hint: QB)

year /t-yrds/ypg/ppg
2021 5843 417 31
2020 4695 426 30 (total yards much lower due to fewer games - covid)
2019 5900 454 32.5
2018 6500 500 38
2017 7396 569 45

but... sticking a rookie OC in the middle of this offensive RPO strategy has not helped

sometimes I do get hung up on inconsistencies and contradictions, like why must the DC have play-calling experience, but for the OC that was not a requirement?

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Orangeheart72
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In reply to Polston31 • 7:51a, 2/8/22
Stats tell what's important in Dunn's and for that matter Spencer Sanders case: 2020 - 8/3. 2021 - 12/2. (Season record win stats!)
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Orangeheart72 • 7:56a, 2/8/22
Orangeheart72 said:
Stats tell what's important in Dunn's and for that matter Spencer Sanders case: 2020 - 8/3. 2021 - 12/2. (Season record win stats!)
you know that's not true....

our defense won many of those games, not our offense ..... a win is a team effort, not one individual. statistics that you posted show me that the team's record improved as the defensive performance improved

but then, we're just talking in circles.

I hope we can be really successful next year.
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Polston31
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 7:59a, 2/8/22
Ok cali. Just trying to Clarify wasn't trying to make up my own version of what you meant. Again not here to argue just seemed you were referring to dunn and I explained what I thought about him and the offense and that whole situation. Have a nice day man
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Polston31
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In reply to Orangeheart72 • 8:01a, 2/8/22
Yeah if we went by stats alone the story would be much different. I'm in the club that thinks the best is yet to come. It's been shaky at times but I think dunn is the guy for the job. I like winning and I like staff consistency. It's all for the bigger picture and the long term success
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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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10:50a, 2/8/22
Hmmm……..offensive decline.
Poor pass protection (at times)
WR inexperience, ineffectiveness (at times)
Run blocking (at times)
Improving B12 defenses (obviously)
Improving OSU defense (allows for more conservative offense)
Inexperienced QB (at times) limited offense

Pretty basic stuff.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to GumbyFromPokeyLand • 11:25a, 2/8/22
bleh... that stuff happens every year to one extent or another.

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Polston31
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In reply to GumbyFromPokeyLand • 11:38a, 2/8/22
All valid factors for determining success of an offense. All things that can and should get better. Makes sense to me.
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Joe Khatib
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In reply to GumbyFromPokeyLand • 1:43p, 2/8/22
GumbyFromPokeyLand said:
It ain't always just about money.
There you go again bringing logic into a subject!
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Joe Khatib • 3:42p, 2/8/22
which begs the question, why did he take less to come here?

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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 4:13p, 2/8/22
Who knows? Who cares.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to GumbyFromPokeyLand • 4:19p, 2/8/22
GumbyFromPokeyLand said:
Who knows? Who cares.
somebody once said: ain't it always just about the money?

I care, our future depends on it. If it's not just about the money, then what the heck is it about?
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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 4:25p, 2/8/22
This opportunity is more important than that salary. That's all I need to know.
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Polston31
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 4:57p, 2/8/22
What is the importance of him taking a salary cut to come here?
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NJAggie
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 8:39p, 2/8/22
CaliforniaCowboy said:
which begs the question, why did he take less to come here?

Evidently the current coach at Auburn is in over his head and everyone wanted out. The OC also bailed. As well as some other coaches and the AD is trying to figure out how he can fire the HC for cause (publicly stated its on all the main sports sites).

He came here to work for a good head coach on a good staff. He's still getting money out of Vandy that goes up or down as his salary does so he's ultimately making what he was as HC at Vandy not what he was making at Auburn or at OSU.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to NJAggie • 6:05a, 2/9/22
thanks NJAggie, that makes some sense.
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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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In reply to NJAggie • 8:53a, 2/9/22
NJAggie said:
CaliforniaCowboy said:
which begs the question, why did he take less to come here?

Evidently the current coach at Auburn is in over his head and everyone wanted out. The OC also bailed. As well as some other coaches and the AD is trying to figure out how he can fire the HC for cause (publicly stated its on all the main sports sites).

He came here to work for a good head coach on a good staff. He's still getting money out of Vandy that goes up or down as his salary does so he's ultimately making what he was as HC at Vandy not what he was making at Auburn or at OSU.


Source? I'd like to read that contract.
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NJAggie
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In reply to GumbyFromPokeyLand • 8:58a, 2/9/22
GumbyFromPokeyLand said:
NJAggie said:
CaliforniaCowboy said:
which begs the question, why did he take less to come here?

Evidently the current coach at Auburn is in over his head and everyone wanted out. The OC also bailed. As well as some other coaches and the AD is trying to figure out how he can fire the HC for cause (publicly stated its on all the main sports sites).

He came here to work for a good head coach on a good staff. He's still getting money out of Vandy that goes up or down as his salary does so he's ultimately making what he was as HC at Vandy not what he was making at Auburn or at OSU.


Source? I'd like to read that contract.
Well Vandy is a private school so good luck.

We had the same provision in Ford's contract. It's pretty standard in buyout clauses, you guarantee them X income which is minus what they get paid at their next job, and you require them to search for and take reasonable employment.
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GumbyFromPokeyLand
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In reply to NJAggie • 10:24a, 2/9/22
NJAggie said:
GumbyFromPokeyLand said:
NJAggie said:
CaliforniaCowboy said:
which begs the question, why did he take less to come here?

Evidently the current coach at Auburn is in over his head and everyone wanted out. The OC also bailed. As well as some other coaches and the AD is trying to figure out how he can fire the HC for cause (publicly stated its on all the main sports sites).

He came here to work for a good head coach on a good staff. He's still getting money out of Vandy that goes up or down as his salary does so he's ultimately making what he was as HC at Vandy not what he was making at Auburn or at OSU.


Source? I'd like to read that contract.
Well Vandy is a private school so good luck.

We had the same provision in Ford's contract. It's pretty standard in buyout clauses, you guarantee them X income which is minus what they get paid at their next job, and you require them to search for and take reasonable employment.


That's what I thought.

It is common to have an offset provision within the buyout terms of a HC contract. It's also common to not have an offset provision - don't believe there's one in Gundy's contract. It's also common for buyouts to be 50% or 75% of remaining compensation. I've also seen the offset only if the HC is hired for the same position. Or only if he's hired in the same conference. Or the offset is only 50% of his new contract at new school. Or the buyout is 1 or 2 yrs full salary. There's no telling how much Mason has already been paid for his buyout. The last reported amount for Masons contract at Vandy was $2.6mm with a term through 2023 - so you can't assume he's getting much if any from Vandy for the next 2 years.


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Orangeheart72
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1:26p, 2/9/22
Never have lived in that space, but after I would reach the "few million mark" in my bank account, I'd probably be able to squeak by on $1.1 million as my salary for a while if I liked the sound of the job and the opportunities it might offer. Plus, while we might speculate about his Vandy payout and look at his "public information" salary at OSU, we have absolutely no access to the donar kick in that can happen behind the scenes. His "real income" at OSU may match Auburn. You know, those NIL booster type dollars Texas and LSU pay for "player personal value opportunities." Could happen to a coach too, without showing up for a voice over or marketing advertisement. Just saying....
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