It's official: Applewhite going to Texas

TUSCALOOSA | Major Applewhite, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Alabama for one season, has returned to the Lone Star State and accepted a position on Texas coach Mack Brown’s staff.

Texas announced Wednesday night that Applewhite is the Longhorns’ new running backs coach with the dual title of assistant head coach. A press conference has been scheduled for 10 a.m. today.

The Tuscaloosa News reported earlier Wednesday that Applewhite had agreed to leave the Capstone to replace Ken Rucker and work closely with his mentor, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Greg Davis.

“It’s exciting to be a Longhorn again,” Applewhite said in a press release. “The opportunity to come back to my alma mater, working with Coach Brown, Coach Davis and all the great coaches, many that I know and have worked with before, is special. Having the chance to be with all of them the last couple of days, to see their passion, to be a part of the expectations they’ve built and see how they’re all on the same page and heading in the same direction is really exciting to be a part of.

“It’s not just about being back in Austin, which is great because I love everything about this place, but the challenge Texas football presents, the familiarity I have with the program and Coach Brown’s philosophy that I believe so strongly in. That’s ultimately why this was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

With the move, Applewhite will give up his play-calling responsibilities, but Texas officials are optimistic that he could be a long-term addition, and possibly groomed to eventually succeed Davis, if not Brown. Applewhite was a quarterback for the Longhorns (1998-2001), and a graduate assistant (2003-04).

“We’re really excited to have Major back,” Brown said. “He was a great player for us and we saw him growing into a terrific coach as a graduate assistant here for two years. He’s had a chance to go work at a few other places, gain some great experience and will be a tremendous addition to our staff. Having your coaches become head coaches and your ex-players join your current staff are two of the best feelings a head coach can have, so this is a very rewarding day for our staff.

“We always knew when Major was playing that he was a student of the game and would be a terrific coach one day. He’s living up to that. Major’s an energetic, enthusiastic and intelligent young coach who has always been a tremendous leader. We think he can have a great impact on our guys, our program and in recruiting.”

Applewhite spent part of Wednesday afternoon calling Alabama recruits to tell them he was leaving 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 both standout receiver Julio Jones and Tide commitment Robert Lester, said he had not heard from Applewhite, but was not surprised by news of his departure.

“Alabama’s a great place,” Applewhite said. “As an athlete or anybody, you have goals and dreams, and one of mine growing up was to be a player or coach at the University of Alabama and I’m grateful for that opportunity. I can’t thank Coach [Nick] Saban and Coach [Mal] Moore enough for the chance they gave me. It’s an honor to have worked for such a great coach, at such a special institution and in a great state like Alabama. The people of Tuscaloosa and Alabama were very good to me and my wife, Julie. It will always be a memorable time in our lives. I learned so much and appreciate everything, but coming back to Texas was a dream come true, too.”

Although Alabama had no official comment regarding Applewhite’s departure — Saban and members of his coaching staff were in Michigan to visit recruit Mark Ingram Jr. — there’s a strong possibility that the Crimson Tide may not hire a new offensive coordinator, and instead hand the duties 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 to either add a quarterbacks coach or re-assign someone to that spot. Otherwise, Saban would likely move quickly to hire an offensive coordinator as National Signing Day is less than three weeks away (Feb. 6).

Pendry’s experience as an offensive coordinator (along with other duties) includes the Houston Texans (2005-06), Buffalo Bills (1998-2000), Carolina Panthers (1995-97), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-92), Philadelphia Stars of the USFL (1982-83), Michigan State (1980-81), Pittsburgh (1978-79), West Virginia (1976-77), and Kansas State (1975). He was also the head coach of the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers in 1984.

With tight ends and special teams coach Ron Middleton recently leaving for Duke, the second opening could make it easier for 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), Williams 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 had breakfast with Texas school officials Wednesday morning after he and his wife dined at the home of Mack and Sally Brown on Tuesday night.

Texas is believed to have matched, or come close to matching, Applewhite’s salary of $250,000. He had a $50,000 buyout. In comparison, Pendry has a base salary of $350,000, with a $70,000 buyout (which matches defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Kevin Steele’s deal).

Sources 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 Saban attempted to persuade him to stay at Alabama.

“I had the chance to play and start my coaching career here,” Applewhite said. “I was fortunate enough to be a part of the group that helped build the foundation of what Coach Brown has developed into the winningest program in the nation over the last 10 years. The back-to-back BCS wins, the national championship and seven straight 10-win seasons make Texas a really special place to be right now.

“Coach Brown’s program is built on great coaching, great players and championship football. To be able to come back and contribute to that and try to accomplish the goals that we have for ourselves now is a challenge that really excites me.”

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

Andrew Bone contributed to this report.