Derek Mason addresses positive COVID test: 'I encourage you to look at your why'

Auburn defensive coordinator Derek Mason confirmed on Twitter Tuesday that he tested positive for COVID-19, shortly after head coach Bryan Harsin also returned a positive test.

Mason said that he is in recovery and does not seem to be suffering from any severe symptoms.

“As some of you have heard, I recently developed and battled a breakthrough case of COVID,” Mason wrote. “Thankfully, I have recovered and I am looking forward to returning to the field as we continue to prepare for the upcoming season.”

Mason did not confirm when he might be able to return to Auburn practices, but he did specify that he’s been vaccinated for COVID-19. Harsin, Auburn’s first-year head coach, declined to reveal whether he has been vaccinated after developing a recent case of COVID.

In his Twitter message, Mason stated his reasons for getting vaccinated. He also encouraged fans on the fence to “look at ‘your why'” when deciding whether or not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Having lost two family members to COVID last year as well as being the father of a daughter who is immunocompromised, I understand why I made the decision to vaccinate,” Mason said on Twitter. “I can only speak for my own decision, but for those who are on the fence, I encourage you to look at ‘your why’ and consider protecting yourself, your loved ones and the healthcare workers who are working so tirelessly to save lives. I am thankful I did.”

Harsin tested positive on Aug. 19 and has been in isolation since his positive test. Auburn kicks off its season on Sept. 4 against Akron.

Like Harsin, Mason is a first-year head coach at Auburn, hired on Jan. 7 after previously serving as the head coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Mason was hired to take over Vanderbilt’s program in 2014, following the departure of James Franklin to Penn State. Though Mason’s first season on West End ended with a 3-9 record, a six-win campaign in 2016 punched Vanderbilt a ticket to a bowl game, Mason’s first as a head coach. The Commodores lost to N.C. State in the Independence Bowl, but went bowling once more in 2018 and lost to Baylor in the Texas Bowl.

Mason was fired midway through the 2020 season. Vanderbilt was 0-8 in its conference-only, COVID-abbreviated schedule, and then-offensive coordinator Todd Fitch took the helm for Vanderbilt’s final regular season game against Tennessee. Mason amassed a 27-55 record in seven years at Vanderbilt.