Major Applewhite promoted to head coach at South Alabama

Field Level Media|published: Thu 18th January, 11:18 2024

Dec 21, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; General view of the South Alabama Jaguars helmets against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Caesars Superdome. credits: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

South Alabama promoted offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to the head coach position on Thursday.

Applewhite was 15-11, including 0-3 in bowl games, in two-plus seasons as the head coach at Houston (2016-18).

At South Alabama, he replaces Kane Wommack, who resigned to become defensive coordinator on the staff of new head coach Kalen DeBoer at Alabama.

Applewhite has spent the past three seasons as the Jaguars offensive coordinator, a span in which the team finished 22-16 and won the first bowl game (68 Ventures Bowl, 2023) in the program's 12 years competing in the FBS ranks. Under Applewhite, the 2023 South Alabama offense set a school record for points in a season with 430.

"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."

Applewhite, 45, played quarterback at Texas from 1998-2001. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2003 and made subsequent stops at Syracuse, Rice, Alabama and back at Texas before landing in Houston.

—Field Level Media