Former UT Star Applewhite Readies For Debut as Nation's Youngest Offensive Coordinator

Major Applewhite will still be nearly a year shy of his 30th birthday when he takes the field as the nation's youngest offensive coordinator next month at the University of Alabama.

Applewhite, 29, is only seven years' removed from his days as a Longhorn fan favorite, when he set school records for passing yards and touchdown passes. He helped Texas to four consecutive bowl games and was the Offensive MVP of the 2001 Holiday Bowl, leading the Longhorns to a 47-43 comeback win over Washington.

After finishing his college playing career, Applewhite worked as a graduate assistant at UT for two seasons, then became the quarterbacks coach at Syracuse University in 2005.

Last season, Applewhite was the offensive coordinator at Rice, helping the Owls score a school-record 350 points en route to their first bowl appearance since 1961. Applewhite's offense produced a 1,000-yard rusher, a 1,000-yard receiver, and a 1,000-yard passer for the first time in school history.

First-year Alabama coach Nick Saban plucked Applewhite away from Rice in hopes of bolstering the Crimson Tide's sagging offense. He may have had some help, however: Applewhite's father is a former president of Alabama's national alumni association and Major was named after former Alabama standout Major Ogilvie.

Two of Applewhite's colleagues on the Alabama coaching staff have been coaching since before he was born. Joe Pendry has 41 years of experience, and Burton Burns has 31.

Photo by The University of Alabama on RollTide.com