Derek Mason officially replaces James Franklin at Vanderbilt

“I am so excited to be at Vanderbilt,” Mason said in a statement. “This university combines the best of what’s good about college athletics and academics. We expect to be competitive and look forward to competing for an SEC East crown.”

Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris and Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton were widely reported as two other finalists, but according to multiple reports, Mason was the first choice all along.

Update, 11:39 a.m. ET: Add Broyles Award-winning defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi to the list:

Vanderbilt athletic director David Williams is currently travelling to interview candidates, according to the Nashville Tennessean. Williams could not comment on specific candidates, though he did not deny reports that Mason is a candidate when pressed. Via the Tennessean:

After days of speculation and reports that a deal was close to being done, Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin has officially been named as the next head coach at Penn State.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to come home,” the Pennsylvania native said in a statement released by Penn State. “I grew up watching Penn State football, and now to be at the helm of such a storied program is a tremendous honor. It’s important to me to be a part of a university that strives for excellence in everything they do. When football student-athletes come to Penn State, they have a unique opportunity to receive a premium education while playing at the highest level of competition.

Vanderbilt officials, including athletic director David Williams, will meet with head coach James Franklin either Friday or Saturday in an effort to keep him in Nashville, multiple sources tell SB Nation. The school is expected to make a counter offer to the head coach, re-structuring his deal in a hope to steer him away from his rumored departure to Penn State.

Multiple Vanderbilt sources believe Franklin has not yet signed any official agreement with Penn State. The coach has not communicated with players or staff in Nashville. A handshake agreement is reportedly in place with Penn State, and a contract is expected to be approved by the school on Saturday, according to a report from ESPN’s Brett McMurphy.

Mason has been the associate head coach and co-DC at Stanford since 2011. He also has some NFL assistant coaching experience. Hudspeth has won nine games at ULL in each of his three seasons there, capping all of those campaigns with New Orleans Bowl victories.

Both Shoop and Hand have been at Vanderbilt for several seasons and could make the transition to a new coaching staff easier on the players in Nashville. They might also help the Commodores better hold together the recruiting class they’ve assembled up to this point.

Vanderbilt managed to ward off potential suitors for James Franklin during his first two seasons as head coach, but with some high-profile openings within college football, plus some interested parties in the NFL, the task is getting tougher. Still, Vandy athletics director David Williams remains optimistic that the school will be able to retain Franklin.

Williams said Monday that he is willing to re-work Franklin’s contract, and that he’s approaching things as though the coach isn’t going anywhere.

Update, Jan. 5, 10:54 a.m. ET: Add one more name to the list.

Munchak was fired by the Titans after going 7-9 this season. The Pennsylvania native was a three-year starting offensive lineman at Penn State, playing there under Joe Paterno from 1978 to 1981. He has no college coaching experience, having spent his entire post-college career with the Oilers/Titans franchise.