3 reasons Major Applewhite is the right hire for Houston

By John Buhler | Dec 9, 2016

Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Cougars assistant coach Major Applewhite after a game against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Houston defeated Florida State 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 3

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1) rolls out of the pocket on a play during the third quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Applewhite is the next great offensive mind from Texas

Football in Texas is everything and no position is more beloved in the Lone Star State than the quarterback. Applewhite was the first starting quarterback of the Mack Brown era in Austin with the Longhorns.

Like many of his contemporary signal-callers, Applewhite seems to be the next rising coaching candidate that was a former collegiate star in Texas. What helps him over other former star quarterbacks from Texas turned offensive college coaches is that he is not entirely hamstrung by the Air Raid.

Applewhite didn’t play in an Air Raid under Mack Brown. It was more pro-style when he was in college. Applewhite served on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2007. I don’t think Saban would ever consider running an Air Raid attack in the SEC. Under Herman, while there were some Air Raid ideas in place, Herman ran a spread-hybrid as most do under the Meyer coaching tree.

Overall, Applewhite has the opportunity to become an outstanding college head coach for the rest of the decade in Houston. With his offensive background in multiple schemes, he doesn’t have to hope that one of the 10 Big 12 jobs open up for him to get a promotion. Over time, he’ll become a more attractive head coaching candidate than his former Texas quarterback counterparts.

Home/College Football