BREAKING: Vanderbilt football fires coordinators Gerry Gdowski, Jason Tarver

Offensive coordinator Gerry Gdowski and defensive coordinator Jason Tarver fired after one and two years in their positions, respectively

Hunter

Head Coach Derek Mason and Defensive Coordinator Jason Tarver signal to their team as the Commodores take on Purdue.

By Simon Gibbs, Deputy Sports Editor

December 28, 2019

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.

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About the Contributor

Simon Gibbs, Former Sports Editor

Simon Gibbs (‘21) is the former Sports Editor for The Vanderbilt Hustler. He has been on staff since the first semester of his freshman year, previously serving as a Staff Writer, Senior Writer and Deputy Sports Editor. Simon is also the host of VU Sports Wired on Vanderbilt Video Productions and The Hustler Sports 30 on VandyRadio. Simon has attended several events as credentialed media, including the 2019 NFL Draft, 2019 College Baseball World Series and the 2019 SEC Tournament. Outside of his Commodore coverage, Simon has had bylines published on NHL.com and NashvillePredators.com. When he's not writing, you can find Simon watching his hometown New York Mets, waiting for that next ring. For tips, comments or concerns, please reach out to: [email protected]

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Harvey Apple

4 years ago

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

Yes, they both did a horrible job this year, but so did Coach Mason. Sounds like scapegoatism to me.