Major Applewhite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Major Applewhite.

Major Applewhite is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Rice University's football team.^[1] Prior to coaching, he was a college football quarterback for the Texas Longhorns from 1998 to 2001 and set 48 school records. Many of these still stand, including the longest pass play (97 yards), most touchdown passes in a career (60), career yards (8,353), consecutive passes without an interception (156) and most yards passing in a game (473).^[2]^[3] At Rice, Applewhite has taken the team away from the "Wishbone" offense and moved them to a more modern, one-running-back formation similar to that used by Texas.^[3]

1 College career
- 1.1 Records set
2 Coaching career
3 References
4 External links

[edit] College career

Applewhite was a quarterback for the Texas Longhorns from 1998–2001. Recruited from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by then Texas coach John Mackovic, he was later coached by Mack Brown and quickly became a fan favorite. The undersized Applewhite's tenure at Texas was noted both for his often gritty heroics as well as his battle for playing time with the heralded blue chip Chris Simms, son of New York Giants legend Phil Simms. Simms had a size advantage (Simms stood 6'5" versus Applewhite who listed at 6'1") as well as a strength advantage over Applewhite. However, Applewhite won over fans with amazing accuracy, the ability to take a hard hit, and an uncanny ability to rally his teammates and fans when trailing.

Applewhite became the starter two games into his freshman season and later led the Longhorns to victory against #7 University of Nebraska 20-16, which broke the Cornhusker's 47 game home winning streak. One poignant moment occurred at the 2001 Big 12 Championship when Simms threw three interceptions and fumbled resulting in four turnovers total in the first half of play.^[4] Major was seen attempting to rally the offense before they took to the field, even as the restless Texas fans booed Simms as he returned to the field. Two plays later Simms became injured and Major entered the game. His first pass was completed for an 80 yard touchdown and he baited the University of Colorado bench in an attempt to rally the Texas fans. Eventually Texas would come up short losing 39-37 after an onside kick attempt failed. His near miracle comeback solidified his starting position for the Holiday Bowl, where he would lead another comeback and throw for 473 yards and four touchdowns to win over Washington 47-43.

[edit] Records set

The longest pass play (97 yards)
Career passing yards (8,353)
Passing yards in a season (3,357)
Completions in a season and career (271 and 611 respectively)
Consecutive passes without an interception (156)
Consecutive games with a touchdown (19)
Touchdown passes in a career (60).

[edit] Coaching career

After graduation, Applewhite attended training camp with the New England Patriots, but quit prior to the start of the season to pursue a career in coaching.

Returning to Texas as a graduate assistant, Applewhite served in that position until early 2005 when he was offered the position of quarterbacks coach at Syracuse University by new head coach Greg Robinson, Texas' former defensive coordinator. On January 8, 2006, after one year at Syracuse (in which the Orange posted a disappointing 1-10 record), Rice University named Applewhite offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under new head coach Todd Graham. Graham said of Applewhite's expected contribution to the new staff, "We want to spread the field and throw the football, and every quarterback and receiver in this state will be interested in Rice with Major as our offensive coordinator."^[5]