Major Applewhite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Major Applewhite | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Title | Assistant Head Coach Running backs coach |
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| College | Texas | |
| Sport | Football | |
| Conference | Big 12 | |
| Born | July 30, 1978 | |
| Place of birth | Baton Rouge, LA | |
| Annual salary | $250,000[1] | |
| Career highlights | ||
| Awards | ||
| 1998 Big 12 freshman of the year 1999 Big 12 co-offensive player of the year 2001 Holiday Bowl MVP |
||
| Playing career | ||
| 1998–2001 | Texas | |
| Position | Quarterback | |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | ||
| 2002–2004 2005 2006 2007 2008–present |
Texas (GA) Syracuse (QB coach) Rice (OC) Alabama (OC) Texas (RB coach) |
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Major Lee Applewhite (born July 26, 1978 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana[2]) is an American football coach at the University of Texas, the school where he also played quarterback. 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 Football Bowl Championship 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), 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).[3][4]
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[edit] 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. Applewhite wanted to attend the University of Alabama, as he grew up an Alabama fan even being named after former Crimson Tide legend Major Ogilvie, but the university's then- head coach Mike Dubose chose to sign two other quarterbacks, neither of whom were particularly successful, over Applewhite. 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 Chris Simms, son of New York Giants legend Phil Simms. Simms had a size advantage (Simms stood 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) versus Applewhite who listed at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)) 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.[5] 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 2001 Holiday Bowl, where he would lead another comeback and throw for 473 yards and four touchdowns to win over Washington 47-43.
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.
[edit] Records
- 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] 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. On January 8, 2006, after one year at Syracuse (in which the Orange posted a 1-10 record), Rice University named Applewhite offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under new head coach Todd Graham.[6] 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."[7] At Rice, Applewhite moved the team away from the wishbone offense and moved them to a more modern, one-running-back formation[8] similar to that used by Texas.[4] 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 join his coaching staff. Applewhite, however, officially announced on December 4, 2006, that he would not leave Rice for Iowa State.[9] 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.[10] 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, that gained 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 over SEC rival Tennessee on October 20, Applewhite was named "Offensive Coordinator of the Week."[11] 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.[12] Briles had left Houston for Baylor University. Applewhite, however, withdrew his name from the candidates list.
On January 16, 2008, Applewhite accepted an offer to become running backs coach at the University of Texas. He will also serve as assistant head coach to Mack Brown.[13]
[edit] References
- ^ Houston Chronicle: Applewhite returning to UT as assistant coach
- ^ Major Applewhite, QB-Texas
- ^ Individual Passing Records (PDF). University of Texas. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
- ^ a b Rice assistant Applewhite to face former team. Associated Press (2006-09-16). Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
- ^ Richmond, Travis (2001-12-05). Applewhite to start in Holiday Bowl. The Daily Texan. Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- ^ Applewhite Named Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach. Rice University (2006-01-08). Retrieved on 2006-06-11.
- ^ Associated Press (2006). Major Promotion: Applewhite names coordinator at Rice. ESPN. Retrieved on January 8, 2006.
- ^ Owls enter ‘06 with new passing attack
- ^ CSTV: Statement from Major Applewhite
- ^ Applewhite accepts Alabama offensive coaching position. Associated Press (2007-01-02). Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- ^ Applewhite Named Offensive Coordinator of the Week. RollTide.com (2006-10-27). Retrieved on 2006-10-27.
- ^ Houston Chronicle: UH candidates include Applewhite
- ^ Austin American-Statesman: Longhorns hire former QB great Applewhite
[edit] External links
- Official bio
- My Somebody by Major Applewhite at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capitol Area
| Preceded by James Brown |
University of Texas Quarterback 1998–2001 |
Succeeded by Chris Simms |
| Preceded by Dave Rader |
Alabama Crimson Tide Offensive Coordinator 2007 |
Succeeded by Jim McElwain |
