Major Applewhite: A Good Hire For Texas?
by Peter Bean on Jan 14, 2008 11:26 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintI didn't let out a Backstreet Boys scream over the news, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited when I saw the reports that there are legs to a Major Applewhite hire... this year. Last Wednesday I noted that, though the rumors appeared not to be baseless, I found it hard to believe there was a place on the staff for Applewhite right now.
The story took a turn this evening, however, as the Tuscaloosa News reported that Texas has made contact with Applewhite, and the Statesman reported that a source close to Applewhite thought the deal was imminent.
While we wait and see how things play out, let's take a minute to review Applewhite's green - but busy - coaching career.
Graduate Assistant, University of Texas - 2003-04 After a celebrated, but controversial, career at Texas as a record-setting quarterback, Applewhite joined the Texas staff as a graduate assistant for his first on-the-job training in the coaching ranks. Working with Greg Davis to help develop Vince Young, Applewhite was quickly pegged as a future coach with a bright future.
Quarterbacks Coach, Syracuse University - 2005 Applewhite went with former Texas defensive coordinator Greg Robinson to Syracuse for his first experience as a full-time coach. Whatever his coaching abilities, the Orangemen were awful offensively in 2005, averaging 14 points per game and finishing 107th nationally in passing yards per game. Junior quarterback Perry Patterson was miserable, finishing with a 93.1 QB rating, with only 6 touchdowns to his 11 interceptions.
Offensive Coordinator, Rice University - 2006 Syracuse's terrible 2005 offense didn't retard Applewhite's rapid ascent, however, as Rice snatched him up, promoted him to offensive coordinator, and made him the youngest coordinator in Division 1 football. The Owls did improve under Applewhite during his first year, increasing their total yards per game and finishing the season with a 1,000 yard receiver, rusher, and passer for the first time in school history. Rice also made it to a bowl game for the first time in 35 years.
Offensive Coordinator, University of Alabama - 2007 After one year at Rice, Nick Saban plucked Applewhite from Rice to make him an offensive coordinator in a whole different universe: the SEC. Under Applewhite, the Crimson Tide offense performed more or less at the same rate as it did the year before:
National rankings in parentheses.
What's this track record mean for the current situation? That's what's so odd about all this: it means nothing. Major Applewhite has been a graduate assistant at Texas for two years, a quarterbacks coach for one year, and an offensive coordinator at two schools for one season apiece. That's more or less the smallest sample size imaginable. There's just no meaningful data set to evaluate.
Does that make a potential move a bad hire? A good one? Is there anything we can say at all?
If we frame the question in terms of evaluating Major's performance record, we're probably barking up the wrong tree. He's not God's second child, as some Texas fans would like to believe. But he's bright enough to be where he is right now, which lends ample support that there's plenty to like about his potential.
What I keep coming back to, though, is that he's a young, fresh, eager offensive coach interviewing to step in and assist an offensive staff which - everyone agrees - has long been in need of an injection. Major Applewhite doesn't need to be a Football Coaching Genius to be useful to this staff. By definition, he - as a young, bright coach with a fresh perspective - is exactly what Texas Longhorn football fans have asked for to assist Greg Davis.
If Mack Brown hires Major Applewhite, the question is not whether Major himself is some sort of savior. It's whether Mack has made the kind of move that Texas fans would want their coach to make.
Thumbs way, way up in that regard.
(And now... fingers crossed.)
--PB--
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I completely agree
At first I thought you were going to be a buzzkill and note that he'd be the slowest RB coach possibly ever, but you hit the nail on the head. Major Applewhite's attitude and energy alone is reason enough to make the hire. We know he knows how to play quarterback like a mofo, even given his limited skill set. If he can teach like a mofo, we're in business.
Bruce Chambers = new RB coach?
This is a great hire
if we make it. How can you not love hiring you OC to be, and letting him learn under Davis for a few years. I think Mack has made some great adjustments since the end of the regular season. All of the new rules and practices that he put in are looking like they're working, and then hiring Muschamp, a guy who actually shows emotion on the sidelines, and now the possible hiring of Major, show his willingness to try to fix what's wrong with his program. Mack has shown me a lot in the past month.
new blood in the OC
and the Major to boot!...please jeebus.
Mack wins the Offseason award
Major has all the potential in the world as a coach. He has already proven to be a great recruiter as Bama has one of the top classes and several top offensive recruits. He was a tremendous leader and he understood how to beat defenses...as a quarterback. While I would love the hire and agree that the influx of a new perspective is needed, I wonder if the lack of a former runningback on the coaching staff will stunt the production of that position. Let's not forget how poorly the running game performed until Rucker was completely back at his job this year. Was this simply due to not enough coaches to go around, or was Rucker's style or experience the difference? Thankfully, if Major needs another resource he can always talk to Rucker (although Rucker will not be allowed to "coach" due to compliance issues). It ain't pretty, but it should work.
Something tells me this has little to nothing to do with coaching RBs, and much more to do with attacking defenses and the eventual OC job. Mack continues to show that he's going to make decisions on his own terms, and he normally makes the right one. He's addressing off the field incidents, bringing creativity to both sides of the ball, and hiring his next OC in one fail swoop. Here's hoping the Offseason award, translates to some BCS trophies.
Minor Correction
Under the 'Cuse heading.
The great Greg Robinson was Defensive Coordinator, not an OC. Hopefully we have the likes of him back in some regard with Muschamp.
As for the Applewhite hire, you are right he hasnt proven anything to the fans numberwise, but if hes as good as his Job title/years says he is, hopefully he will be a great long term hire at Texas. You know the fans will give him every opportunity to be successful.
by BoddickerIsClutch on Jan 15, 2008 8:16 AM CST reply actions
I agree...
Some of the talk on this board had been in favor of firing GD and bringing in Major to run the offense. That would have not been prudent given Major's lack of experience. This situation is perfect, however, because Major will bring passion, energy and enthusiasm, will be a great mentor for Colt, and will have the opportunity to mature as a coach and possibly slide into the OC slot in a couple of years when GD decides to retire. Excellent hire for Texas and good career move for Major.
by jwill on Jan 15, 2008 8:46 AM CST reply actions
Excellent hire? Yes. Good career move?
I am not so sure. How much more can Major really learn from GD at this point? Major was a starting QB under Davis for 3-4 years (depending on how you count), and a graduate assistant under Davis for 2 more.
Major is already the OC at arguably the most storied FB school in the country. A few more years of solid performances under Saban would have led to HC offers.
The talking heads on ESPN radio this morning in the metromess are stating that he would likely take over as running backs coach. No word as to any play calling duties.
So, Major is going from OC at Alabama to Running Backs coach at Texas? Although Major's official title has yet to be announced, that seems like a step backwards in my book. Either he and Julie are VERY homesick, or there is some kind of "Jimbo Fisher" type clause in the contract.
not a backwards move
Although Major had the OC title at Bama, Saban did not hand him all the keys. He shared scheme and play calling responsibilities with Joe Pendry. He may not have much more to learn from Davis, but there isn't anything to learn from Joe Pendry. If you are a Texans fan, you would know that his asinine blocking schemes made the running game ineffective. Career-wise, its the right move.
Not really a Texans fan
so I can't comment on the blocking schemes they used under Pendry. I know that Carr looked like a tackling dummy durring most of his time in Houston, and the running game was anemic. Admittedly though, my knowledge is limited to what I read on the stat lines and fantasy FB reports.
Might Mack do something like "Co-Offensive Coordinator," similar to what the Defense has had for the last few years? I could see Major making that move. Heck, coaches with more impressive resumes and accomplishments have taken "lateral moves" to come to Austin. If Major does increase his offensive responsibilities by doing so and retain the OC namesake, then then I could see this happening.
Unless there is more to this story - which there usually is - I can't see Major coming just to be a running back coach. Pressure from the wife and promises of future riches are my two top theories.
This is...
Totally fantastic news. Major coming back to Austin on the staff, with his ideas on how to run the spread, will breathe some fresh air into the offensive scheming. I can see Colt McCoy and John Chiles getting a much needed mentor/motivator out of having Major around too. My guess is that this will help Colt tremendously in his Junior year as our QB and Chiles as his backup/heir apparent. I cannot wait to see what we do next year!
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