Major Applewhite

Major Lee Applewhite (born July 26, 1978) was the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for the University of Texas. Prior to Texas, Applewhite served as offensive coordinator at Rice University under Todd Graham in 2006, and at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban in 2007. He was the youngest offensive coordinator among Division I-A schools at that time.

Applewhite was previously the quarterbacks coach at Syracuse University in 2005. Prior to coaching, he was a college football quarterback for the Texas Longhorns from 1998 to 2001 and set 8 school records. Many of these still stand, including the longest pass play (97 yards), consecutive passes without an interception (156) and most yards passing in a game (473). He previously held the record for career yards (8,353).

Playing career

Applewhite was a quarterback for the Texas Longhorns from 1998 to 2001. Recruited from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by then Texas coach John Mackovic, he was later coached by Mack Brown. While at Texas, the undersized Applewhite's tenure was noted both for his often gritty heroics as well as his battle for playing time with the heralded blue chip recruit Chris Simms, son of New York Giants legend Phil Simms. Simms had a size advantage (Simms stood 6 ft 4 in or 193 cm while Applewhite was listed at 6 ft 1 in or 185 cm) as well as a strength advantage over Applewhite. However, Applewhite won the starting job.

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 Cornhuskers' 47 home game winning streak. One poignant moment occurred at the 2001 Big 12 Championship, when Simms was responsible for four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) in the first half of play.^[1] 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 was injured and Applewhite 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 2001 Holiday Bowl, where he would lead another comeback and throw for 473 yards and four touchdowns.

After graduation, Applewhite attended the 2002 training camp of the New England Patriots, but quit prior to the start of the season to pursue a career in coaching.

Records

• The longest pass play (97 yards)
• Career passing yards (8,353), surpassed by Colt McCoy in 2008
• Passing yards in a season (3,357), surpassed by McCoy in 2008
• Completions in a season (271), surpassed by McCoy in 2007
• Completions in a career (611), surpassed by McCoy in 2008
• Consecutive passes without an interception (156)
• Consecutive games with a touchdown (19)
• Passing yards in a game (473)

College coaching career

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. Applewhite's first coaching job was a disaster, with the Orange going 1-10, their worst record in school history (after 6-6 the year before) and scoring their fewest points in more than 20 years (from 22.8 points in 2004 to 13.8 points in 2005).^[2] On January 8, 2006, after one year at Syracuse, Rice University named Applewhite offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under new head coach Todd Graham.^[3] 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."^[4] At Rice, Applewhite moved the team away from the wishbone offense and moved them to a more modern, one-running-back formation^[5] similar to that used by Texas.^[6] During his one season at Rice, the team posted a 7–6 record and attended its first bowl game in over forty years.

After former Texas defensive coordinator Gene Chizik was hired as head coach at Iowa State University in December 2006, Applewhite was rumored to be joining his coaching staff. Applewhite, however, officially announced on December 4, 2006, that he would not leave Rice for Iowa State.^[7] He did however leave Rice only a month later, not for Iowa State but for Alabama, as he accepted an offer by newly hired Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban to serve as the offensive coordinator.^[8] Given his ties to the Lone Star State, Applewhite targeted a couple of Texas high school prospects, including Lennon Creer. Alabama eventually received commitments by quarterback Nick Fanuzzi and defensive back Tarence Farmer.

In his first season at Alabama, Applewhite improved the Crimson Tide offense, which averaged 22.3 points and 340.9 total yards per game under Dave Rader in 2006, to an average of 26.8 points and 372.6 total yards per game in 2007. Following a 41-17 blowout win over SEC rival Tennessee on October 20, Applewhite was named "Offensive Coordinator of the Week."^[9] Alabama, however, then lost the last four games of the season, including a shocking 21-14 loss to Louisiana-Monroe.

During the 2007 season, Applewhite was mentioned as a possible replacement for Art Briles as head coach at the University of Houston.^[10] Briles had left Houston for Baylor University. Applewhite, however, withdrew his name from the candidates list. He was forced out at Alabama.

On January 16, 2008, Applewhite accepted an offer to become running backs coach at the University of Texas and he also served as assistant head coach to Mack Brown.^[11]

On January 6, 2011, Applewhite was announced as the co-offensive coordinator. The next day, Mack Brown announced that the primary play caller and other co-offensive coordinator would be Bryan Harsin from Boise State.^[12]

On December 12, 2012, Harsin was named head coach at Arkansas State University. Applewhite assumed play calling duties at Texas and coached quarterbacks. He was co-offensive coordinator with wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt.

Personal

Applewhite admitted he was disciplined by the University of Texas for "having an inappropriate relationship with a student at the 2009 Fiesta Bowl."^[13]

References

External links

• Official bio
• My Somebody by Major Applewhite at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capitol Area