Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason takes over an MTSU program desperate to return to the top of CUSA in 2024.
The Blue Raiders are coming off of a disappointing 4-8 season under former head coach Rick Stockstill.
So, who makes up the new MTSU coaching staff?
MTSU Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Derek Mason
Derek Mason, a coaching veteran with nearly three decades of experience in college football, embarks on his first season as the head coach of Middle Tennessee State.
Mason has spent seven years as a head coach, most notably at Vanderbilt from 2014 to 2020, where he became just the second coach in the program’s history to guide the team to multiple bowl games.
Mason’s coaching pedigree is perhaps best highlighted by his tenure at Stanford, where he architected their formidable 3-4 defense. During his four seasons with the Cardinal, he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2011, leading the team to back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances and consecutive Pac-12 titles.
Under his guidance, Stanford’s defense consistently ranked among the nation’s best. In 2012, Mason was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant coach in the country.
Mason’s football journey began as a player at Northern Arizona, where he was a two-year starter and four-year letter winner. This set the stage for a coaching career defined by his defensive expertise and leadership on and off the field.
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach: Bodie Reeder
Bodie Reeder is in his first season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Mason at Middle Tennessee State. Reeder brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served in similar positions at several other programs.
Reeder was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Northern Iowa from 2022 to 2023. Under his guidance, UNI’s offense excelled, ranking ninth nationally in red zone efficiency, 15th in passing offense, and 39th in total offense in 2023. Quarterback Theo Day thrived under Reeder’s coaching, finishing 15th in the nation in passing yards.
Before his time at Northern Iowa, Reeder spent the 2021 season at Auburn as an offensive analyst and later as the interim quarterbacks coach. During Auburn’s bowl game, he took over as the quarterbacks coach, helping guide Bo Nix, who went on to set the career all-purpose yardage record at Auburn.
Reeder played quarterback at Wyoming in 2005 before transferring to Eastern Illinois, where he played from 2006 to 2009. His playing experience undoubtedly shaped his coaching career, particularly in developing quarterbacks.
Assistant Head Coach/ Defensive Coordinator: Brian Stewart
Brian Stewart, a coaching veteran with over 30 years of experience at the collegiate and professional levels, has joined Mason’s staff for his first season at MTSU. Stewart brings a wealth of defensive expertise, having served in various high-profile roles throughout his career.
In 2023, Stewart was the defensive coordinator for the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL. His defense led the league in total defense, sacks, and defensive touchdowns while ranking second in interceptions.
Before his stint in the XFL, Stewart served as the defensive coordinator at Maryland in 2021, where he played a crucial role in leading the team to a Pinstripe Bowl win.
In 2020, Stewart was the cornerbacks coach at Baylor, where he helped the defense rank second in the Big 12, allowing just 203.0 passing yards per game. The defense also ranked second in the conference with 12 interceptions, with cornerback Raleigh Texada earning All-Big 12 honors under Stewart’s mentorship.
Stewart also brought his expertise to the NFL, spending two seasons (2018-19) as the Detroit Lions’ defensive backs coach under head coach Matt Patricia. His extensive professional and collegiate experience makes him a valuable asset to Mason’s coaching staff.
Special Teams Coordinator: Luke Paschall
Luke Paschall enters his first season as the special teams coordinator on Mason’s coaching staff at Middle Tennessee State. Paschall brings a strong background in special teams and wide receivers coaching, having held similar roles at various programs.
Most recently, Paschall served as the special teams coordinator at Louisiana from 2022 to 2023. Under his leadership, the Ragin’ Cajuns’ special teams excelled, leading the nation in punt return touchdowns and return yards in 2022. They also topped the Sun Belt Conference in punt return average. Over his two years at Louisiana, Paschall’s unit blocked seven kicks, further showcasing his ability to impact the game in the special teams phase.
Before his time at Louisiana, Paschall was UMass’s wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator from 2019 to 2021. UMass punter George Geogopoulos thrived under Paschall’s guidance in 2021, averaging 44.75 yards per punt, with 19 punts traveling over 50 yards and 21 landing inside the 20-yard line.
In 2018, Paschall served as the wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator at North Carolina. During that season, UNC’s special teams unit ranked among the nation’s leaders in critical categories, including 10th in punt return defense and 35th in kickoff return defense.
Paschall’s coaching career was also shaped by his playing experience as a wide receiver at Middle Tennessee from 2002 to 2006. Returning to his alma mater in a coaching capacity brings his career full circle as he now looks to elevate Middle Tennessee’s special teams under Mason’s leadership.
Offensive Line Coach: Kendall Simmons
Kendall Simmons, a former Auburn standout and eight-year NFL veteran, has joined Mason’s coaching staff for his first season at Middle Tennessee. Simmons brings a wealth of experience from both his playing and coaching careers.
From 2019 to 2023, Simmons served as an offensive analyst at Auburn, focusing on the offensive line. He worked under head coaches Gus Malzahn, Bryan Harsin, and Hugh Freeze, contributing to the Tigers’ offensive line development.
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Simmons’ football journey began as a dominant offensive lineman at Auburn from 1997 to 2001, where he established himself as one of the program’s greats. He was then drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played from 2002 to 2009. During his time with the Steelers, Simmons became a Super Bowl champion in 2005. His NFL career also included stints with the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills in 2009.
Now, with a rich background in both playing and coaching, Simmons brings his expertise to Middle Tennessee. Under Mason’s leadership, he will play a key role in shaping the team’s offensive line.
Secondary Coach, Bryce Lewis
Bryce Lewis, a former player under Derek Mason, has joined Mason’s coaching staff for his first season at Middle Tennessee. Lewis brings valuable experience from his recent coaching role at Oklahoma State, where he served as a defensive analyst from 2022 to 2023.
During his time at Oklahoma State, Lewis contributed to an excelling defense, helping the team secure a spot in the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl and reach the Big 12 Championship game in 2023. Notably, the defense ranked second nationally in third-down defense, showcasing Lewis’s impact on the team’s success.
As a player, Lewis was a defensive back at Vanderbilt from 2015 to 2017, where he played under Mason. Now reunited with his former coach, Lewis is poised to bring his on-field experience and defensive acumen to Middle Tennessee as he begins his coaching career.
Wide Receivers Coach: Cornelius Williams
Cornelius Williams, a former standout wide receiver at Troy, has joined Mason’s coaching staff for his first season at Middle Tennessee. Williams brings a strong background in developing wide receivers and contributing to offensive success.
In 2023, Williams served as the wide receivers coach at New Mexico, where he played a significant role in transforming the Lobos’ offense. Under his guidance, the offense improved dramatically, from 130th nationally in total offense in 2022 to 47th in 2023.
Before his time at New Mexico, Williams was an offensive analyst focusing on quarterbacks at Alabama in 2022. During his season with the Crimson Tide, Alabama posted an impressive 11-2 record, won the Sugar Bowl, and finished No. 5 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. The Crimson Tide’s offense was one of the nation’s best, averaging 41.1 points per game and 477.1 yards of total offense.
As a player, Williams was a standout wide receiver at Troy from 2006 to 2009, where he developed the skills and football acumen that have shaped his coaching career. He brings his expertise to Middle Tennessee, where he will be a crucial asset to Mason’s coaching staff.
Running Backs Coach: Calvin Lowry
Calvin Lowry, a former NFL safety with three years of professional experience, has joined Mason’s coaching staff for his first season at Middle Tennessee. Lowry brings a diverse coaching background, having worked extensively with wide receivers and special teams and contributed to overall offensive strategies.
From 2020 to 2023, Lowry served as an offensive analyst at Penn State, where he was involved in various aspects of the offense and special teams. His role was instrumental in supporting the team’s success during this period.
Before his time at Penn State, Lowry had a significant impact at Tulsa, where he served as the co-pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2021 to 2022 and as the special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2015 to 2020. During his tenure at Tulsa, Lowry coached six Golden Hurricane receivers to over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, demonstrating his ability to develop top-tier talent.
As a player, Lowry was a standout safety at Penn State from 2002 to 2005 before moving on to the NFL. He played for the Tennessee Titans (2006-07), Denver Broncos (2008), Jacksonville Jaguars (2008), and Detroit Lions (2009). His experience as a player and coach at the highest levels of football now enriches Middle Tennessee’s coaching staff under Mason’s leadership.
Tight Ends Coach: Joe Ganz
Joe Ganz, a former Nebraska quarterback, has joined Mason’s coaching staff for his first season at Middle Tennessee. Ganz brings valuable experience in coaching quarterbacks and coordinating the passing game, having worked in these roles at several programs.
From 2020 to 2023, Ganz served as the pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Northern Iowa, where he played a crucial role in developing the team’s aerial attack.
Before that, he was the quarterbacks coach at Youngstown State from 2018 to 2019. During his time with the Penguins, Ganz effectively managed a multiple-quarterback system, helping the team achieve a decisive 5-2 home record in 2019.
As a player, Ganz was a standout quarterback at Nebraska from 2004 to 2008, where he developed the skills and knowledge that have shaped his coaching career. Now, he brings his expertise in quarterback development and passing game strategy to Middle Tennessee under Mason’s leadership.
Linebackers Coach, A.J.Reisig
A.J. Reisig joins Mason’s coaching staff at MTSU for his first season, bringing a strong defensive background to the team. In 2023, Reisig served as the linebackers coach for the Houston Roughnecks, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s success.
The Roughnecks finished the season with a 7-3 record, leading the league in total defense. Under Reisig’s guidance, his linebackers ranked second and third in the league in total tackles, highlighting his ability to develop top-performing defensive players.
Before his time with the Roughnecks, Reisig was a senior defensive analyst at Maryland from 2021 to 2022. During his tenure, he contributed to the Terps’ resurgence, helping the team secure back-to-back bowl victories for the first time since 2003 and achieve an eight-win season, their best since 2010.
Reisig’s expertise in defense and linebacker development makes him a valuable addition to Mason’s staff as they work to strengthen Middle Tennessee’s defense.
Defensive Line Coach: Vernon Hargreaves
Vernon Hargreaves, a coaching veteran with over 35 years of experience, joins Mason’s staff at Middle Tennessee for his first season. Hargreaves brings a wealth of knowledge and a track record of success at both the collegiate and professional levels.
From 2020 to 2023, Hargreaves served as Howard’s defensive line and special teams coach. Under his leadership in 2023, the Howard defense thrived, with Darrian Brokenburr earning First-Team All-MEAC honors and Jamel Stewart receiving Second-Team recognition. The defense also ranked 22nd nationally in total defense, showcasing Hargreaves’ impact on the unit’s performance.
Before his time at Howard, Hargreaves was the inside linebackers coach at Missouri from 2018 to 2019. His influence was immediately felt as the Mizzou defense made significant strides. The Tigers improved their rushing defense dramatically, moving up to 22nd nationally in 2018 with an average of 126.5 yards allowed per game, compared to 58th in 2017 when they allowed 159.6 yards per game.
Hargreaves’ extensive experience and proven ability to develop defensive talent make him a valuable asset to Mason’s coaching staff as they aim to build a formidable defense at Middle Tennessee.
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