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Oklahoma State Football

Oklahoma State DC Derek Mason is Stepping Away From College Football

January 12, 2023
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STILLWATER – Oklahoma State will have a new defensive coordinator for the 2023 season as Derek Mason is stepping away from college football.

On Thursday morning, Mason took to Twitter to announce he’s taking a sabbatical from coaching after 30 consecutive years in the sport.

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy released the following statement:

“Oklahoma State Football and I appreciate what Derek Mason and his family have brought to our team/culture. The positive effect he’s had on our players, staff and program has been awesome. I know it was a tough decision, but life is bigger than football. We wish him and his family nothing by the very best and they are always welcome back in Stillwater!

Mason joined the program during the 2022 offseason from Auburn.

This past season, as a whole, the defense held opponents to 257.6 passing yards, 178.0 rushing yards and 28.9 points per game. They combined for 907 total tackles, 95 tackles for loss, 26 sacks for 151 yards, 82 quarterback hurries, 51 pass break ups, 13 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and two safeties.

The Pokes’ defense also ranked third in the FBS in 3rd down conversion holding opponents to just a 27% completion rating.

Pokes Report has learned Mason’s daughters are getting out of college and starting their lives and he wants to be there for them and his family.

Chances are he will coach again at some point in the future, but this has been in the back of his mind since his took over the job last year. In fact, when he signed this one-year contract, it was set up for the possibility of him stepping away from the game at the end of the season.

Pokes Report will have complete coverage of the upcoming coaching search to find the next defensive coordinator.

Discussion from...

Oklahoma State DC Derek Mason is Stepping Away From College Football

9,429 Views | 21 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by Orangeheart72
okstate819
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11:35a, 1/12/23
If we promoted Joe Bob wouldn't that open up the $$$ to pay for a new OC. Arroyo?
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Doug Gosney
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11:52a, 1/12/23
Hopefully Joe Bob is promoted immediately to maintain some continuity for our existing players and new signees. Some stability among the turmoil.
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Csquaredosu66
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In reply to Doug Gosney • 12:06p, 1/12/23
Doug Gosney said:
Hopefully Joe Bob is promoted immediately to maintain some continuity for our existing players and new signees. Some stability among the turmoil.
Really? I only say that because he was GREAT as a DL coach, but when he moved to LB's i felt there was a HUGE drop off in BOTH. Lots of circumstances there, so i do give him a slight pass, but I just dont feel this should be automatic. He was passed over for Mason on purpose.
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SWCowboyD
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12:07p, 1/12/23
I have a feeling that this Transfer Portal setup as is may drive a few more college coaches to reconsider their careers in college sports.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Csquaredosu66 • 12:15p, 1/12/23
Csquaredosu66 said:
Doug Gosney said:
Hopefully Joe Bob is promoted immediately to maintain some continuity for our existing players and new signees. Some stability among the turmoil.
Really? I only say that because he was GREAT as a DL coach, but when he moved to LB's i felt there was a HUGE drop off in BOTH. Lots of circumstances there, so i do give him a slight pass, but I just dont feel this should be automatic. He was passed over for Mason on purpose.
it was stated at that time, that Clements was taking the LB job to help "round out" his coaching experience and provide him with broader experience than just the DLine...... meaning preparing him to be able to move to a DC or similar such role. I don't know if 1 year was enough, but having worked for Knowles and Mason he should have picked up some great understanding of defenses and leadership skills.

I don't have a dog in the hunt, but we should not be opposed to giving Joe Bob a shot at DC.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to okstate819 • 12:20p, 1/12/23
okstate819 said:
If we promoted Joe Bob wouldn't that open up the $$$ to pay for a new OC. Arroyo?
that doesn't even make any sense. We have an OC. If we didn't have an OC then THAT would open up the $$$ to hire a replacement OC....
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okstate819
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 12:36p, 1/12/23
I said "new OC" didn't I? I get your abrasive nature shtick is all you got but maybe try reading comprehension before replying.

If our DC salary allotment is cut in half by going from Mason to JBC then you have a certain amount of extra $$ to pay some of Dunn's buyout or pay for Arroyo. Its called math.
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to okstate819 • 12:47p, 1/12/23
okstate819 said:
I said "new OC" didn't I? I get your abrasive nature shtick is all you got but maybe try reading comprehension before replying.

If our DC salary allotment is cut in half by going from Mason to JBC then you have a certain amount of extra $$ to pay some of Dunn's buyout or pay for Arroyo. Its called math.
robbing Peter to pay Paul.... I get it. And it was not very clear, since the existing OC $$$ should be more than enough without screwing the defense in the process

Arroyo tried to hire Dunn to be his OC at UNLV, so why is it you think that he would be an improvement over Dunn?

UNLV Hires Away OSU Receivers Coach Kasey Dunn, Per Report
This is a significant blow for OSU.
https://pistolsfiringblog.com/unlv-hires-away-osu-receivers-coach-kasey-dunn-per-report/


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Csquaredosu66
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 12:53p, 1/12/23
CaliforniaCowboy said:
Csquaredosu66 said:
Doug Gosney said:
Hopefully Joe Bob is promoted immediately to maintain some continuity for our existing players and new signees. Some stability among the turmoil.
Really? I only say that because he was GREAT as a DL coach, but when he moved to LB's i felt there was a HUGE drop off in BOTH. Lots of circumstances there, so i do give him a slight pass, but I just dont feel this should be automatic. He was passed over for Mason on purpose.
it was stated at that time, that Clements was taking the LB job to help "round out" his coaching experience and provide him with broader experience than just the DLine...... meaning preparing him to be able to move to a DC or similar such role. I don't know if 1 year was enough, but having worked for Knowles and Mason he should have picked up some great understanding of defenses and leadership skills.

I don't have a dog in the hunt, but we should not be opposed to giving Joe Bob a shot at DC.
I love job bob, just kind of stating my viewpoint. Gary Patterson is the obvious connection and contact IMO, but one thing i will say is, I believe in Gundy and his hiring of Staff...
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Joe Khatib
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1:13p, 1/12/23
Good luck in your future endeavors Coach Mason!!!
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CProc7
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2:24p, 1/12/23
Gary Patterson incoming! Fingers crossed.
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Cdub234
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 3:40p, 1/12/23
And everyone freaked out and begged HCMG to promote him to OC so we could keep him on staff. This is the mentality of a huge % of our fanbase that will comment on everything, despite knowing very little about anything.
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tulsasig
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4:22p, 1/12/23
This is like Payton Place! What next? Darren Shrum as Head Coach?!
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TUSKAPOKE
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7:32p, 1/12/23
Thanks for your time at OSU and good luck. Next coach up....maybe JBC!!! GO POKES!!!
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Eclectic
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4:24p, 1/13/23
At some point, the elephant in the room has to be addressed. RA and others can try and side step this, but something is not right within the organization. I have long supported gundy, and more recently RA. Cali claims he has, but bashed him every day when his son (Shane) wasn't playing.
I don't know how many of you have ever worked with SPC, but between the transfers we've lost, and coaching changes, something is definitely out of control. Perhaps it is NIL, but I just wished someone would try to address it head on instead of being pollyannish about everything other than NIL. The emperor wears no clothes..... Someone needs to point that out that will be heard.
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CanadianCowboy
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In reply to Eclectic • 4:51p, 1/13/23
I think you see a planned exit by Mason as "the sky is falling". When Mason came on board, he was unsure what he wanted to do a year or two out so he didn't sign the original draft of his 2-yr contract. It was re-drafted to be a 1-yr contract with Mason's option for a 2nd year. This is because he has been running hard in coaching for 30 years and now has 2 daughters graduating from college. He wants (needs) a break and wants to spend time with his family. I can certainly understand that, and if I had been able to earn a Div 1 coach's salary for my 42 years in my profession, I'd have done the same by now even though I love the company I work for. You should ease off the tension and drama, go get a good drink & relax.
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Eclectic
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In reply to CanadianCowboy • 5:04p, 1/13/23
You've obviously never worked with SPC (Statistical Process Control). I'm relaxed, just pointing out that statistically, the system is not in control.
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CanadianCowboy
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In reply to Eclectic • 5:19p, 1/13/23
Obviously you don't know what it is I've worked with in my career. My view...when it comes to 18-24yr old young men in athletics, high pressure coaching careers, HUGE egos in both sets, irrational fanbase, untested market drivers (NIL), widely variable family circumstances, and a whole bucket full of other unidentified / unknown variables you can throw any kind of statistical process measurement/control out the window while you're driving 90mph. There is nothing you (or anyone else) can "control" Relax, get a drink, and watch the show.
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Eclectic
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In reply to CanadianCowboy • 6:30p, 1/13/23
You win!. Only one more argument. The system is the system. The same thing goes into it every year. From that, you develop a standard deviation from any process within the system. The age of recruits doesn't statistically change, the number of coaches doesn't statistically change, the players backgounds likely don't statistically change, etc. So there are only 4 things that could change the system, statistically. The personnel, the materials, the methods, and the environment.
I'm relaxed and not laying blame on anyone. Just saying that no one is willing to address whatever the problem is. And it lies within one of those 4 processes. Not rocket science here....
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CaliforniaCowboy
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In reply to Eclectic • 9:23a, 1/14/23
Eclectic said:
At some point, the elephant in the room has to be addressed. RA and others can try and side step this, but something is not right within the organization. I have long supported gundy, and more recently RA. Cali claims he has, but bashed him every day when his son (Shane) wasn't playing.
leave me out of your damn crap... none of what you just said about me is true.

therefore, none of what you said period, is true.

why have you come to this board to start lying about others? Your contributions can be much better than that.

Please leave me out of your rant, you don't need to include me to add validity to your sorted story.

I have not bashed Gundy, I have only ever said that I am not a fan of dual-threat QBs, or that offensive scheme.

say what you need to say about you, but please stop trying to say what I think... you have no freaking clue about me.

damn you people, leave me alone.
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Orangeheart72
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10:26p, 1/15/23
Would seem to me JBC would perhaps be an improvement as the DC. Certainly not a big risk. If Patterson would come in as Co-coordinator for a year or two contract.....might be useful for Joe Bob's further rounding. But he saw defense at K-State too so it's about time he gets to fly solo!
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