Major Applewhite
Encyclopedia
Major Lee Applewhite is the Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs 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).
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 in 4 in (193.04 cm) while Applewhite was listed at 6 in 1 in (185.42 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. 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.
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). On January 8, 2006, after one year at Syracuse, 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." At Rice, Applewhite moved the team away from the wishbone
offense and moved them to a more modern, one-running-back formation similar to that used by Texas. 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. 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. 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 over SEC rival Tennessee
on October 20, Applewhite was named "Offensive Coordinator of the Week." 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
. 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 and he also serves as assistant head coach to Mack Brown
.
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.
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
at Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
under Todd Graham
Todd Graham
Todd Graham is the head football coach of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was previously the head coach at the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma.-Playing career:...
in 2006, and at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
under Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
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
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in 2005. Prior to coaching, he was a college football quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
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, LouisianaBaton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
by then Texas coach John Mackovic
John Mackovic
John Mackovic is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of United States national American football team, which was formed to compete in the American Football World Cup...
, he was later coached by Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
. 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
Chris Simms
Christopher David Simms is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas.Simms has also played for the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
, son of New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
legend Phil Simms
Phil Simms
Phillip Martin "Phil" Simms is a former American football quarterback, and currently a television sportscaster for the CBS network. After a standout career at Morehead State University, Simms was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants of the National Football League with the number...
. Simms had a size advantage (Simms stood 6 in 4 in (193.04 cm) while Applewhite was listed at 6 in 1 in (185.42 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
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public research university located in the city of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska...
20-16, which broke the Cornhuskers' 47 home game winning streak. One poignant moment occurred at the 2001 Big 12
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
Championship, when Simms was responsible for four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble) in the first half of play. 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
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, 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
2001 Holiday Bowl
The 2001 Culligan Holiday Bowl was a college football bowl game played December 28, 2001 in San Diego, California. It was part of the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. It featured the Washington Huskies against the . Texas won 47–43 after a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring the...
, 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
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, 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 McCoyColt McCoyDaniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
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 UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
by new head coach Greg Robinson
Greg Robinson
-External links:**-References:...
, Texas' former defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
. 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). On January 8, 2006, after one year at Syracuse, Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
named Applewhite offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
and quarterbacks coach under new head coach Todd Graham
Todd Graham
Todd Graham is the head football coach of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was previously the head coach at the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma.-Playing career:...
. 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." At Rice, Applewhite moved the team away from the wishbone
Wishbone formation
The wishbone formation, also known simply as the ’bone, is an offensive formation in American football. The style of attack to which it gives rise is known as the wishbone offense...
offense and moved them to a more modern, one-running-back formation similar to that used by Texas. 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
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Gene Chizik
Gene Chizik
Eugene "Gene" Chizik is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Auburn University football team, a position he has held since the 2009 season. Chizik's 2010 Auburn Tigers football team completed a 14–0 season with a victory over Oregon in the BCS...
was hired as head coach at Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
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. He did however leave Rice only a month later, not for Iowa State but for Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, as he accepted an offer by newly-hired Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
to serve as the offensive coordinator. 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 over SEC rival Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
on October 20, Applewhite was named "Offensive Coordinator of the Week." Alabama, however, then lost the last four games of the season, including a shocking 21-14 loss to Louisiana-Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a coeducational public university in Monroe, Louisiana and part of the University of Louisiana System.-History:...
.
During the 2007 season, Applewhite was mentioned as a possible replacement for Art Briles
Art Briles
Arthur Ray Briles is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Baylor University, a position he has held since the 2008 season. From 2002 to 2007, Briles was the head coach at the University of Houston.-Playing career:A native of Rule, Texas, Briles...
as head coach at the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
. Briles had left Houston for Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
. 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 and he also serves as assistant head coach to Mack Brown
Mack Brown
William Mack Brown is head coach of The University of Texas at Austin Longhorn football team.Prior to his head coach position at Texas, Brown was head coach at Appalachian State, Tulane, and North Carolina. Brown is credited with revitalizing the Texas and North Carolina football programs...
.
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
Bryan Harsin
Bryan Harsin is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He is currently the co-offensive coordinator at University of Texas at Austin. On January 7, 2011, Texas head football coach, Mack Brown, announced that the primary play caller and other co-offensive coordinator...
from Boise State.
External links
- Official bio
- My Somebody by Major Applewhite at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capitol Area