John Brice of Football Scoop reported on Saturday former Houston head coach and Texas quarterback Major Applewhite has emerged as a candidate with the Miami football program. Applewhite has been the OC and QBs coach at South Alabama in the last two seasons. Applewhite has extensive experience as a college OC.
Brice stated that “sources with direct knowledge tell FootballScoop that Cristobal and the Hurricanes are engaging today in talks with Major Applewhite.” As the OC at Houston in 2015 and 2016 and the head coach the following two seasons, Applewhite coached former Miami QB D’Eriq King.
Applewhite has been a college play caller since 2006. South Alabama finished 47th nationally in 2022 averaging 31.2 points per game. The Jaguars were 37th nationally averaging 424.4 yards per game. South Alabama improved from 5-7 to 10-3 and a berth in the New Orleans Bowl in the two years under Applewhite.
Applewhite is enticing to Mario Cristobal as they have shared experience coaching under Nick Saban at Alabama. Applewhite was the first OC and QB coach at Alabama under Saban in 2007. After stints at Texas and Houston in the next 11 seasons, Applewhite returned to Alabama in 2019–2020 as an analyst.
#NEWS There's a Major new name in @CanesFootball's search for an offensive coordinator, sources with direct knowledge tell @FootballScoop: https://t.co/mGUZCPXA7I
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) February 11, 2023
Applewhite previously was a candidate as Miami OC when Manny Diaz was hired as head coach in December 2018. Hiring Applewhite would provide Miami with an experienced head coach in both coordinator positions. Lance Guidry who Miami hired as defensive coordinator on Tuesday was the head coach at McNeese State.
Houston was 15-11 in two seasons plus under Applewhite as head coach. Applewhite ascended to interim head coach in 2016 following the departure of Tom Herman to Texas. Herman was hired in December as the head coach at Florida Atlantic. Houston lost all three bowl games under Applewhite.
Previous reports stated that Cristobal interviewed former Clemson OC Brandon Streeter, ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier and Toledo head coach Jason Candle. Several reports stated that Candle was provided with an oral offer from the Miami football program as OC, but it seems unlikely he will accept.