RTI Journey is a new season-long series on VUCommodores.com written by Vanderbilt head football coach Derek Mason. Check back for a new entry every other week from Coach Mason.
RELENTLESS Defined
Two things were immediately apparent upon my arrival at Vanderbilt University. First, there is no shortage of gifted and talented students at this prestigious academic institution. Second, the caliber of athlete being produced and developed here in the Southeastern Conference is second to none. Some suggest that this coaching job may be the toughest Power 5 position in the country due to the combination of academic rigors required to attend this institution, the level of athletic competition you compete against on a weekly basis, and the perceived commitment of resources to our program. These public conversations and digital media boards have led many to remark that Vanderbilt University Football is somehow just looking to survive in an arena where only the best warriors with the shiniest spears will be victorious in battle. Fortunately for the Commodore community and Vanderbilt Men around the world, we are RELENTLESS.
Webster defines RELENTLESS as “showing or promising no abatement of severity, intensity, strength or pace”. This definition of RELENTLESS is a core foundational pillar of our program and what a Vanderbilt Man builds his brand upon. The actions of pursuing greatness at all times, no matter the obstacle or adversity ahead, is what we do. We never decrease the intensity in our pursuit of the goal, because quitting is never an option.
We must be RELENTLESS when we step into a classroom against first-round draft picks in corporate America, who don’t care about our athletic prowess or Saturday accomplishments. We must be RELENTLESS when we walk across campus to McGugin and get to work competing in the SEC against many projected NFL student-athletes who don’t care about our accomplished SAT or ACT scores. To many, the challenge of taking this demanding road is not the smart bet. Maybe something else would be less strenuous. But it would also be less rewarding.
Being a Vanderbilt Man is a RELENTLESS task that can only be achieved by a strict, harsh and unyielding personality. This decision is never entered into without weighing the options, but the four-year decision to be a Commodore carries with it a 40-year opportunity to change your life. In my four years at Vanderbilt, I’ve seen our seniors turn their Vanderbilt degrees into law school acceptances, medical school selections, military officer appointments, NFL contracts and corporate America careers. These Vanderbilt Men were trained with an uncompromising mentality and committed to being a difference-maker no matter the challenge. This team environment is where an intentional culture continues to thrive as the Commodore football team attacks its RELENTLESS journey.
Derek Mason
Vanderbilt Football Head Coach
RELENTLESS | TOUGH | INTELLIGENT