BREAKING NEWS: Applewhite accepts Texas assistant coaching job

TUSCALOOSA | Major Applewhite, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Alabama for one season, has decided to return to Texas and agreed to join head coach Mack Brown’s staff.

The Tuscaloosa News has learned that Applewhite will become the Longhorns' running backs coach, and will likely have an additional title while working closely with his mentor, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Greg Davis. Texas officials can’t announce his hiring until 5 p.m. Wednesday, and a press conference is expected to be called Thursday.

Although Alabama had no official comment regarding Applewhite’s departure, there’s a strong possibility that the Crimson Tide may not hire a new offensive coordinator, and instead hand the duties full-time to assistant head coach of offense/offensive line coach Joe Pendry, who handled the game-planning responsibilities this past season.

If so, the Crimson Tide would likely look either add a quarterbacks coach, or re-assign someone to that spot.

With tight ends and special teams coach Ron Middleton recently leaving for Duke, the second opening could make it easier for Nick Saban to get Bobby Williams on staff. Williams turned down an opportunity to join Saban a year ago to remain with the Miami Dolphins, where he coached the running backs, only to be fired a few months later.

In addition to being the running backs coach at Michigan State (1990-98), he replaced Saban as head coach (1999-2002). In 2004 he was Saban’s associate head coach and receivers coach at LSU, before following him to Miami.

Incidentally. Alabama’s current receivers coach and recruiting coordinator, Curt Cignetti, has experience as a quarterbacks and tight ends coach. While also serving as recruiting coordinator at Pitt, he coached tight ends (1994-96 and 1999), and quarterbacks (1997-98). He coached quarterbacks at Temple (1989-92), and at Rice (1986-88), and both quarterbacks and receivers at Davidson (1985).

Reports out of Texas indicated that Applewhite breakfasted with Texas school officials Wednesday morning after he and his wife dined at the home of Mack and Sally Brown on Tuesday night.

Applewhite spent part of Wednesday afternoon calling Alabama recruits to tell them he was leaving the Capstone for Texas. A source indicated that Applewhite will not attempt to recruit any player for Texas that he was recruiting for Alabama -- which is considered a recruiting taboo.

Todd Watson, coach at Foley High School and of standout receiver Julio Jones, said he had not heard from Applewhite, but was not surprised by news of his departure.

With the move, Applewhite will give up his play-calling responsibilities, but Texas officials are optimistic that he could be part of the football staff for years to come, and possibly be groomed to succeed Davis, if not Brown. Applewhite was a quarterback for the Longhorns (1998-2001), and a graduate assistant for two years.

Texas is believed to have matched, or come close to matching, Applewhite’s salary of $250,000. He had a $50,000 buyout.

Sources also indicated that in addition to the lure of returning to Texas, the 29-year-old Applewhite was at times frustrated about calling plays after not having significant input in the game plans for the pro-style offense. Applewhite ran a spread offense at Rice in 2006.

The same sources also indicated that Applewhite was not forced out or asked to relinquish any duties, and coach Nick Saban attempted to persuade him to stay at Alabama.

Saban and members of his coaching staff were in Michigan to visit with recruit Mark Ingram Jr. Iowa, Michigan State and Wisconsin are the other finalists for his signature.

Andrew Bone contributed to this report.

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0196.