Applewhite returns to Texas as assistant coach

1/16/2008 8:24 PM

By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN (AP) -Former Texas quarterback Major Applewhite is rejoining the Longhorns as an assistant coach, leaving his job as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama.

The 29-year-old Applewhite was the youngest offensive coordinator in the Football Bowl Subdivision last season and returns to the campus where he was a fan favorite as a player from 1998-2001.

``We're really excited to have Major back,'' Texas head coach Mack Brown said Wednesday. ``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.''

Texas scheduled a Thursday news conference to introduce Applewhite as the assistant head coach and running backs coach. His salary will be $250,000, the same amount he was paid at Alabama.

Texas had the vacancy after running backs coach Ken Rucker was reassigned within the athletic department. Applewhite is the second new addition from the state of Alabama. Brown hired defensive coordinator Will Muschamp away from Auburn earlier this month.

Applewhite still holds several Texas passing records, including career yards (8,353), season yards (3,357) and touchdown passes (60).

He has been a rising star in assistant coaching circles for several years, moving from a graduate assistant at Texas to the full-time staff at Syracuse in 2005. He was offensive coordinator at Rice in 2006 and spent last season with the Crimson Tide.

``It's exciting to be a Longhorn again,'' Applewhite said. ``The opportunity to come back to my alma mater, working with Coach Brown .... is special.