WEST TEXAS UNIV. MAKES 'MAJOR' HIRE
MAJOR APPLEWHITE HAS ACCEPTED THE HEAD COACHING GIG AT WTU
It's never easy for a fledgling football program to attract the best recruits in their state, especially when that state has eleven FBS schools like Texas. The recruiting trail across the Lonestar State is a tough road, and every team needs a selling point. On Tuesday, West Texas University revealed their recruiting ace when they announced the hiring of Major Applewhite as the team's first head coach.
A record setting quarterback at UT and former graduate assistant coach for Mack Brown, Major Applewhite is a nine-year coaching veteran and joined the Texas staff in January 2008 as assistant head coach and running backs coach before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator in January 2011. Since Applewhite began coaching running backs in 2008, Doak Walker Award semifinalist Jamaal Charles and Chris Ogbonnaya have both gone on to the NFL. In 2010, the running back corps combined for 1,396 rushing yards and 14 TDs, while catching 47 passes for 322 yards.
Applewhite returned to his alma mater after spending the 2007 season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama, where he was the youngest coordinator in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). In his one year at Alabama, the Crimson Tide bounced back from a losing season in 2006 to post a 7-6 record under first-year coach Nick Saban. Under his guidance, Alabama improved its offensive output by nearly 40 yards per game (335.9 to 373.8) and increased its scoring from 22.9 points per game to 27.1. His offense generated 256 yards passing and 388 total yards to cap the year with a 30-24 win over Colorado in the Independence Bowl. Prior to Alabama, Applewhite spent a season as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Rice where, as the youngest coordinator in NCAA Division I, he directed an offense that scored the most points (350) and gained the third-most yards (4,486) in Owls' history. Under his guidance, Rice produced a 1,000-yard rusher, a 1,000-yard receiver and a 1,000-yard passer for the first time in school history en route to the program's first appearance in a bowl game since 1961. The 2006 Rice offense produced a 109-point improvement in scoring over the previous season. Before his stint at Rice, Applewhite joined former Longhorn Defensive Coordinator Greg Robinson at Syracuse where he served as quarterbacks coach in 2005. Applewhite's coaching career began where he starred, at Texas, where he served as a graduate assistant coach and worked with the offensive line for two seasons (2003-04). In his final year in 2004, the Longhorns went 11-1, beat No. 12 Michigan in the Rose Bowl and earned a No. 4 final ranking - it's highest since 1981.
The Longhorns' team captain in 2001, Applewhite helped Texas to four straight bowl games (1999 and 2000 Cotton Bowls/2000 and 2001 Holiday Bowls) and posted a 22-8 record as a starter. He capped his career by throwing for a UT record 473 yards and a Longhorn-bowl-game best four TDs en route to Offensive MVP honors in a 47-43 victory over No. 20 Washington in the 2001 Holiday Bowl. The 1999 co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year still holds UT records for career (8,353) and season (3,357/1999) passing yards, as well as career TD passes (60). He threw for 2,453 yards and 18 TDs, UT freshman records at the time, in claiming Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors in 1998.
At just 33 years old, Applewhite now beats out USC's Lane Kiffin for the title of youngest head coach in college football, and will certainly attract the some of the state's top quarterbacks and wide receivers to the program.
"I couldn't be more excited to get to work at West Texas University," said Applewhite in his introduction press conference. "This city is nationally recognized for their commitment to the sport, and the brand new stadium and athletic facilities will make this a top choice for recruits in the future. We have a tough road in front of us to reach the level of a school like Texas, but I think the future is bright."
