January 8, 2007
Major Applewhite as new Alabama OC?
When Alabama withdrew its offer to LSU OC Jimbo Fisher, Nick Saban apparently went west for a young man.
According to reports, former Texas Longhorns QB and current Rice OC Major Applewhite is one of the top candidates for the OC position with the Crimson Tide.
"I have been contacted, and I do have some interest, but I have not been offered the job," Applewhite said. "I'll sit down with my wife, Julie, and we'll make a decision this week."Right now, I'm still committed to Rice and the recruiting class we have coming here."
Applewhite's offense set records at Rice this year for most points (350) and third-most yards (4,486) in school history.
Under Applewhite, the Owls produced a 1,000-yard passer (Chase Clement), a 1,000-yard rusher (Quinton Smith) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Jarett Dillard) for the first time en route to earning a spot in the New Orleans Bowl.
Applewhite's father is the past president of the Alabama Alumni Association.
Saban has also spoken with Boise State OC Bryan Harsin, who turned down the job after a 30-minute call with the Tide coach.
Although Alabama has made no official announcement, Saban already has hired Florida State’s Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator, Central Florida assistant Lance Thompson to serve in a capacity that hasn’t been determined and Dolphins safeties coach Kirby Smart as the secondary coach.
Comments:
PreProSports.com said:
posted on January 8, 2007 11:53 AM — 68.21.103.162 — link — abuse?
Wow. This would be a major inexperienced hire for Saban. I'm not saying Applewhite can't hack it, but you'd expect Saban to be able to find a guy with more of a proven track record.
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on January 8, 2007 11:53 AM — 64.32.153.19 — link — abuse?
Well, this one's certainly a reach. Didn't they run the single-wing offense over at Rice? I think that with the speed of the DE's and OLB's in the SEC - you might want to try and throw it on occasion. Maybe Saban has really lost touch. Applewhite is way too young and inexperienced. But, I'll bet he's cheap. They probably can't afford to hire a decent coach now that Saban has garnered all the cheese.
Tommie T
Chris said:
posted on January 8, 2007 12:15 PM — 24.24.114.56 — link — abuse?
He needs to do something a little outside the norm. His Miami and LSU buddy just went to Auburn.
http://scoreboards.aol.com/football/ncaaf/team/aub/25861/team_news.aspx
Plus you have Cutcliff back at Tennessee and and Martinez in at Georgia....I could go on, but the point is this. Most of these guys have seen his offensive scheme before. He is a defensive coach and a young guy like Applewhite may be good for the Tide. According to all he is saying, he wants a strong staff so he can recruit better. Both in the state and outside of it. His theory being that 4 and 5 star recruits will be the bigger and more physical player he's looking for.Jimmy said:
posted on January 8, 2007 12:19 PM — 65.215.162.63 — link — abuse?
Or just maybe he is on the cutting edge as we've seen OC names come out of nowhere. Negatively speaking, Bama can't gamble, but positively speaking it may be as refreshing as Urban Meyer's Florida Spread Offense that was said to be a reach due to the SEC speed of DE's and OLB's. And please, we all know Bama has all the cheese. This is the same school that makes over 20 mil on ticket sales alone, during a losing season. Let's not digress!!
NMLSooner said:
posted on January 8, 2007 12:21 PM — 65.79.220.9 — link — abuse?
Mr. Trojan, Rice ran the wishbone triple option under old coach Ken Hatfield. They had a new coach this ENTIRE SEASON, believe it or not! They ran a variation of the same thing practically every one else runs, the spread.
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on January 8, 2007 12:45 PM — 64.32.153.19 — link — abuse?
NML Sooner:
Haven't had the chance to see Rice play in a few years - must be me that's behind the times. I'll take your word for it. It's just that I kinda remember that them and Air Force - were some of the last schools to let go of the "Bone" or whatever it was that they were runnin'. My only point was that I don't think that that could work in the SEC.
Tommie T
Randy said:
posted on January 8, 2007 1:16 PM — 24.178.84.195 — link — abuse?
I am a Bama fan myself and wasn't so sure about him when I first heard the rumors myself. However, his bio is impressive and for the first time in Rice's history they had a 1000 yd passer,rusher,and receiver. I am more exited now though. Also, he would actually be CO-OC which would help him ease into the level of competition of the SEC.
mistabone said:
posted on January 10, 2007 10:53 AM — 199.123.79.97 — link — abuse?
I was googling Major when I came on this site. I lived in Austin when Applewhite was a Longhorn. He said when he was still a player that he would rather coach. He was drafted into the NFL (Patriots I think, 5th or 6th round), went to training camp, but quit so he could focus on becoming a coach.
One thing he was known for at UT, and was kinda joked about, was when he was in the game there was an extra coach on the field. It's only a matter of time before he lands something really big, more likely sooner than later.
You guys ought to be happy. I can see Major taking over at Texas when Mack Brown retires.Tomcat said:
posted on January 10, 2007 11:41 AM — 70.245.204.255 — link — abuse?
Hey Tommie T Rice is a real small private school that does not get the kind of atheletees as the other 9 Div-1A schools in Texas.To take a team from 1-10 to 7-6 is one heck of an accomplishment.Applewhite is a very intellegent young man with a very competitive spirit.
This guy will only improve and move up given his recent sucesses.
#7 yes the Hatfeild days are over however they still run an option at times, not every other play like before.
I honestly have seen many Rice games over the years and have never seen a win.I'm glad for the resurection of Rice and wish them future sucess.
Go OwlsMajorcoup said:
posted on January 10, 2007 4:03 PM — 12.43.229.154 — link — abuse?
At Texas, the "joke" (truth?) is that Greg Davis's offense worked best when he called plays in the booth and Major Applewhite or Vince Young changed them at the line of scrimmage. There is significant sentiment in Austin for Mack Brown to "retire" his much-maligned OC and hire the Major before OU or A&M wake up and do it first. Maybe it's too late...the cat's out of the bag. RICE -- R-I-C-E -- IN A FREAKING BOWL GAME with an all-American wideout and a quick-strike offense? Bama better jump all over this guy...
clemson1981 said:
posted on January 16, 2007 2:24 PM — 74.242.87.164 — link — abuse?
well well well you bama fans snatched up the best member of the clemson coaching staff yesterday, Burton Burns, running backs coach of the clemson tigers, this a damn good hire for yall, hes done a great job with clemsons run offense and he has a history of winning were ever he goes, good hire for yall, not too long he will be your OC major applewhite is going to leave in a few years.
Tomcat said:
posted on January 16, 2007 8:10 PM — 69.153.80.127 — link — abuse?
Yes its confirmed, Applewhite is the new Bama O.C. SEC get ready, with the talent level Alabama has and recruiting, everythings looking up for Tide fans.With the combination of wide open spread passing attack and option running game this team will be hard to stop.
Roll Tide Hookem-HornsBamaMan said:
posted on January 27, 2007 3:19 PM — 66.82.9.89 — link — abuse?
# 16 Tomcat: Just curious as to where you are getting your info. This is the latest post concerning Applewhite on www.rolltide.com .
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama head football Nick Saban announced today that Major Applewhite, former offensive coordinator at Rice University, has joined the Crimson Tide football coaching staff. Applewhite’s specific duties have not been determined at this time.
Tomcat said:
posted on January 28, 2007 3:17 PM — 70.243.64.85 — link — abuse?
BamaMan Thanks dude my mistake.According to Jeff Powers at News 8 Austin, Major has accepted an offensive coaching position as quarterbacks coach and possibly co-offensive coordinater at a later
date.This was posted 1-12-07 at www.news8austin.com Tomcat
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C-DOGG said:
posted on January 8, 2007 11:45 AM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?It shouldn't be too long before Applewhite is the head coach somewhere. My guess is Mississippi State in 2-3 years. From there....he'll bolt as an OC in the NFL.