Vanderbilt football announced the firing of offensive coordinator Gerry Gdowski and defensive coordinator Jason Tarver on Saturday morning, according to a statement from the Vanderbilt University Athletic Department.
“I’d like to express my appreciation of the commitment and sacrifices that Gerry and Jason made to this program and our student-athletes,” Head Coach Derek Mason said.
The university did not provide an update on the search for new coordinators.
According to Alan George, Associate Athletic Director for Communications, “a process has begun to replace [Gdowski and Tarver].”
Gdowski has coached under Derek Mason since his arrival at Vanderbilt in 2014. Through six years, Gdowski has held positions as tight ends coach, quarterbacks coach and most recently, offensive coordinator. He served as the offensive play-caller for one season after the departure of former coordinator Andy Ludwig for the University of Utah.
In 2018, Tarver was brought to Nashville from the San Francisco 49ers to relieve Mason from defensive play-calling duties. He was the Commodore defensive coordinator for two seasons, while also coaching inside and outside linebackers.
Stay tuned to The Vanderbilt Hustler (@vuhustlersports) for updates regarding the coaching search.
Harvey Apple • Dec 29, 2019 at 10:58 pm CST
This fixes nothing.
Malcom is content to spin Vanderbilt’s football wheels on a(n) ice covered bridge.
It is shameful that Malcom is even receiving a check, as he has done nothing, football, to earn it.
1. Vanderbilt needs to pay enough to find the best head football coach who is a nationally known winner, in coaching.
This will be a tremendous tool to draw talent.
2. Vanderbilt needs to do whatever it takes to recruit the top 5 star quarterback, from Texas.
Weak quarterbacks, & a weak head coach, guarantee that Vanderbilt will be, perennially, the #1 chump, in the SEC basement.
Robert Davenport • Dec 28, 2019 at 6:56 pm CST
Yes, they both did a horrible job this year, but so did Coach Mason. Sounds like scapegoatism to me.