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.
TOUGH Times
As I reflect on our victory this weekend, I think back to last Sunday morning when I woke up under different circumstances. The sun was still hidden behind a haze of clouds and the heavy sound of rain was constant in the background. My mind was filled with thoughts of missed opportunities, poor execution of schemes, and regret. These thoughts are often those of a head football coach after a loss. Every snap in the game is questioned to the point where you have adjusted each play and personnel decision. I watched the film again to reconcile fact from fiction and it’s confirmed: we had too many turnovers, we couldn’t stay on the field offensively or get off the field on defense. All this information was detailed to the team and then we took action to correct our mistakes. This is where we shifted gears – new opportunities bring about the chance to change the outcome. Be better! TOUGHen your resolve and improve your process.
Speaking of TOUGH, I had a chance to see one of our own display his strong spirit last week. Turner Cockrell is a beast when it comes to his mental & physical attitude towards his fight with cancer. After visiting Turner in his room last week with Jason Grooms (our Assistant Athletic Director for Football), it was clear that he wasn’t feeling well. He looked tired and somewhat uncomfortable, but his words of encouragement to us and his strength in chosen conversation led you to believe that he was fine and that he’s got this.
Never once in his 18-month battle have I seen him break down or give way to any of his emotional distress or physical toll that his battle has taken on him. He is as TOUGH a player as I’ve ever coached because his process has remained the same:
- I understand the fight I’m engaged in.
- I will do what is asked of me to defeat my opponent.
- My actions, attitude & consistency of execution will affect the outcome.
- I will work like a champion, play like a champion and live like a champion.
Our team continues the journey to understand how important this process is, and on Saturday afternoon, they battled for the opportunity to secure a win. The ebb and flow of the game went back and forth, as the Tigers gave the Commodores everything they could handle. Both teams were exhausted from the TOUGH and intense battle on the field, but when I embraced Rod Reed at the 50-yard line, our thoughts were only with Christion Abercrombie. To Christion, the Abercrombie family and the TSU community, remember that football is what we do, but not who we are. As a young man fights to get better, let his spirit, his resilient attitude and his strength of will become his process.
This Vanderbilt family’s thoughts and prayers remain with both Turner and Christion.
Derek Mason
Vanderbilt Football Head Coach
RELENTLESS | TOUGH | INTELLIGENT