Four days after the announcement of head coach Bryan Harsin having contracted COVID-19, defensive coordinator Derek Mason announced via Twitter he has recently recovered from the virus.
Mason took this opportunity to encourage people to get vaccinated and mention how COVID-19 has affected his family. Mason shared he has lost two family members to the virus and his daughter is immunocompromised. This is what he described as his "why" and encouraged others to find theirs.
He also mentioned how he is looking forward to returning to the field in preparation for the season.
Currently, Harsin is still isolating being asymptomatic. Until his return, assistant head coach Jeff Schmedding is serving as interim head coach.
The Tigers kick off their season Sept. 4 against Akron in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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Mattison is a senior majoring in Public Relations from Springville, Alabama. She has been part of The Auburn Plainsman since 2019.
Twitter: @mattcurtlynn
