Football: Bustle Completes Staff By Hiring Mason As Wide Receivers Coach

Matt Hebert, Sports Information –

LAFAYETTE – University of Louisiana at Lafayette head football coach Rickey Bustle filled the final vacancy on his 2007 coaching staff when he announced Darryl Mason as wide receivers coach on Thursday.

Mason joins Bustle’s staff after serving as wide receivers coach at Tulane from the 2004 through 2006 season. He replaces Brian Crist, who was the Cajuns wide receivers coach from January 1, 2002, until his release December 11, 2006.

Mason’s hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

Mason has spent 10 of his 22 years of coaching in Louisiana including each year since 2000.

“I feel very fortunate to have Darryl join our staff,” Bustle said. “He will bring many years of experience to our program. Our receivers will benefit from his teaching.”

At Tulane, Mason’s receiving corps managed to amass over 2,000 yards receiving each season and nearly hit 3,000 yards receiving in 2006 accumulating 2,958 yards.

In 2006, the Green Wave had 10 players with double-digit receptions including three who had at least 40 catches. In 2005, nine players had double-digit receptions and in 2004 the Green Wave receivers caught 28 touchdown passes.

Mason coached three All-Conference USA receivers during each season spent with the Green Wave.

In 2006, standout Jeremy Williams was named honorable-mention Freshman All-American by The Sporting News – Williams led all Green Wave rookies in receptions, yardage and touchdowns.

In 2005, Preston Brown finished the year as a third team All-Conference USA selection with 47 catches and 720 yards after entering the season without a career catch.

Mason also coached Roydell Williams who went on to become the Green Wave’s all-time leader in touchdown catches and was a fourth-round draft choice of the Tennessee Titans in the 2005 NFL Draft.

Prior to joining the Tulane staff, Mason completed his third stint at Northwestern State where he was the offensive coordinator and receivers coach for two seasons (2002-2003), helping the Demons to the I-AA playoffs in 2002. His 2003 NSU offense broke the school record for points in a season.

He spent the 2001 season as receivers coach at Louisiana-Monroe.

Mason also worked as wide receivers coach at Northwestern State from 1990-93 and again in 2000. The Demons boasted an All-Southland Conference receiver every year from 1990-92.

Before returning to Louisiana in 2000, Mason spent four seasons at East Tennessee State University (1995-98). He coached the top three single season leaders in receiving yardage in ETSU history. His ETSU receivers set 12 school records and the Bucs’ B.J. Adigun earned I-AA All-American honors in 1997 after posting 1,380 yards on 72 catches.

The Little Rock, Ark., native also coached receivers at Missouri State (1987-88) and Weber State (1989), tight ends at UNLV (1993), outside linebackers at Idaho State (1994) and was offensive coordinator at Cheyney (Pa.) University (1999).

Mason was a 1977 prep All-American at Little Rock’s Parkview High School and was named Arkansas’ high school Athlete of the Year in 1978.

He was a three-year starter at tight end for coach Lou Holtz at Arkansas from 1978-81. The Razorbacks made four straight bowl appearances during his career, including the 1979 Fiesta and 1980 Sugar bowls. He captained the team as a senior in 1981 and was named All-Southwest Conference.

Mason played in the United States Football League for four seasons. He started for the Birmingham Stallions from 1983-85 catching 132 passes for 1,300 yards. He was a member of the 1986 Arizona Outlaws before beginning his fulltime coaching career in 1987 at Missouri State.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas in 1983 and began his coaching career in 1984 on Holtz’ staff at Minnesota working as a graduate assistant/tight end coach.