Kimbrow, Head leave Vandy football program

Vanderbilt running back Brian Kimbrow and cornerback Paris Head have left the football program, according to coach Derek Mason.

Kimbrow, who was suspended on Sept. 22, has been dismissed from the team. Head, who started three games this season, has decided to no longer play football at Vanderbilt because of a "difference in philosophy" with the current coaching staff, according to Mason.

"Paris came here under one coach and one philosophy (James Franklin) and inherited another philosophy, so that paradigm shift was a little tough on him," Mason said. "He has chosen just to pursue his degree. There were no conduct issues or anything else with Paris. It was his decision, but we just came to a mutual understanding when we talked about it after the Georgia game (on Oct. 4)."

Head, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., played 16 games (three starts) over two seasons, posting 28 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Mason said Head is still enrolled at Vanderbilt, and he does not know of any plans for Head to play elsewhere.

"I think he has just chosen to get his degree, and that's all," Mason said of the sophomore.

Kimbrow, a junior from Memphis, was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, and he has not played since. At the time, Mason said, "No one player is bigger than the team. We're not going to comment on anything else. It's always about team."

On Wednesday, Mason said, "He has not been with us for a month (for practices or team activities), but he has come to say hello and ask for some advice on some things."

Kimbrow fumbled on his only rushing attempt this season, a 6-yard loss in a 37-7 loss to Temple in the season opener. He has not played since then. He has rushed for 748 yards and six touchdowns in his Vanderbilt career, but his production has dropped each season. He had 413 rushing yards as a freshman in 2012 and 341 yards last season.

Kimbrow was one of the top high school prospects in Tennessee in 2011, when he rushed for nearly 2,000 yards for Memphis East and was named a finalist for Class 5A Mr. Football Back of the Year finalist.

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.