Major Applewhite promoted to head coach at South Alabama

Major Applewhite has been promoted to head coach at South Alabama after spending the last three seasons as the program’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Applewhite was previously the head coach at Houston (2017-18) and has also spent time on staff at both Alabama (2007, 2019-20) and Texas (2008-13).

“Following a broad evaluation of our program, it became very clear that the best leader for us in both the short and long term is Major Applewhite,” AD Joel Erdmann said in a statement. “His professional experience, his string of mentors along his path and his proven ability to recruit, develop and sustain relationships with student-athletes were all significant contributing factors to this decision. I am incredibly excited about our future, and can’t wait to work together with coach Applewhite as we continue to move this program forward.”

Applewhite is replacing Kane Wommack, who led the Jaguars to 22 wins over the last three seasons before stepping down this month to take over as defensive coordinator at Alabama. The team went 10-3 (7-1) and 7-6 (4-4) with two bowl appearances in the last two seasons, with one of the better offensive units in the Sun Belt under Applewhite’s leadership.

“I’m incredibly humbled and excited to be the next head football coach at the University of South Alabama,” said Applewhite. “My family and I love living in Mobile, and are thankful for the opportunity to further ingrain ourselves in the community here. I’m grateful to Kane Wommack for bringing me here three years ago, and I look forward to carrying on the winning tradition that has been established. I’m excited to work with the strong and proven leadership of the administration here at South Alabama. I’m anxious to get started and quickly turn my attention back to our players, and prepare them for spring ball and the 2024 season.”

credit to South Alabama Athletics for the image