I've playfully poked fun at others for indulging coaching rumors because the realm has proven itself to be the Wild West of innuendo. (Moreover, it's harmless ribbing when a blogger does as fine a job covering a team as Brian Cook does.)
But can I really ignore stories like these ($), which suggest Major Applewhite-to-Texas isn't just a fanboy fairy tale? Normally, I'd say yes, but I received two very interesting, related tips on this angle in early December which I ultimately decided not to run because I had no way of substantiating what was posited.
To recap the situation briefly: there's talk not only that Texas has an interest in Major Applewhite, but that the interest is mutual. Though this seems like a given to certain segments of the fanbase, the reality is much more nuanced; not only is Major extraordinarily well situated at Alabama, but it's never been a given that Applewhite would share the same enthusiasm for returning to Texas as the fans have for seeing him return.
If you believe the rumors, though, the connection is indeed alive and well. Though Applewhite coming to Texas this offseason - with both Mack Brown and Greg Davis firmly entrenched - seems farfetched, those who dream of Major's triumphant return to Austin in a collared shirt should be encouraged by what we've learned this offseason. Though I'll continue to encourage people to take coaching news with a two-ton truck of salt, Major's interest in the program appears genuine. And the sources of this interest varied. Orangebloods' most recent report is consistent with things I've been told which - on their own - aren't something I was comfortable running. In conjunction, though? They lend credence to the belief of some that Major-to-Texas is a matter of complicated when... not if.
--PB--
0 recs | 23 comments
orangebloods' annual rumor mongoring....
every year, with the end of football season, orangebloods does the same thing to keep their members subscribed and satiated until the heart of basketball season.
so one internet site's anonymous source has corroborated another site's anonymous source?
golly, "where there's smoke, there MUST be fire!"
cortexas - January 9, 2008
Ha
+1
Peter Bean - January 9, 2008
PB, don't
do that. I'm too old for this. If AppleWhite comes back home, it's just like 4th and goal "National Championship on the line" when VY is about to walk passing that USC goal line.
Horns98 - January 10, 2008
If Applewhite
comes back home to be our OC next season, we will kick aTm & ou ass, finally.
Horns98 - January 10, 2008
FWIW
When Deloss Dodds walks to the locker room after the basketball games, he always stops by to say something (normally it's just "good job") to the front row in the O-Zone. He asked the guy in front of me if he liked the Muschamp hire. My friend gave his praises, then Deloss said something along the lines of "we have another good hire coming up."
Who knows what he meant, but that's what he said.
whoopspat - January 10, 2008
Applewhite has been trying to get out of Bama...
for a while now. He expressed interest in possibly the OC position at A&M but Sherman wasnt willing to give it up.
There was talk of him taking the QB Coach, but it would have been a loss in title and money from his current job.
My only question is: If he goes to the Horns, where would he coach? RB's?
HMFIC04 - January 10, 2008
Grrr
Orangebloods is pay-to-read, so I don't know what you are talking about.
Caradoc - January 10, 2008
I drank the Orangeblood's kool aid
the other day and subscribed. I was motivated by a good BONer's recent remark that it was the best $10 a month you can spend or something to that effect. My initial assessment is that it moves too slow; i.e., the stories are not ever-changing and seem a little untimely. BON is much more fluid. That said, I love recruiting news - and I know BON hasn't really broached that subject yet - so I'm hoping to get Orangeblood's to scratch that itch.
Horntod - January 10, 2008
My pure speculation...
I have previously speculated that Major might come to Texas as a QB coach-in-training to take over as OC when Davis retires in a year or two. This pure speculation is based upon a somewhat reasoned analysis that:1. Saban is notoriously difficult to work for, while Mack Brown is just the opposite;
2. Texas is his alma mater, Major is popular at Texas and with the fan base and considered to be a fine up-and-coming star coaching prospect;
3. Major is too young and inexperienced for Texas to hand over the OC job without some more seasoning.
Thus, I could see Major coming in as a QB/Asst. Head Coach, Davis becoming strictly an OC or maybe OC/RB's coach, with the idea that Major would succeed Davis in a year or two.
Again, wild speculation, but I also predicted the DC change (against the doubts of many that Mack would make a radical change) so maybe I have prophetic powers.
jwill - January 10, 2008
# 3...
is Major too young and inexperienced to be Alabama's OC? Because that's what he is
mstang20 - January 10, 2008
I wouldn't have hired him.
jwill - January 10, 2008
Another wild speculation
Major and GD become co-OCs. GD still focuses on QB coaching (because he enjoys it and is good at it). major takes over a lot of the BS OC work and gets more experience as an OC.
mack is having a press conference tomorrow at noon so something is probably up. Maybe Ed Orgeron is coming on board.
Kafka - January 10, 2008
That
is what I am hoping for.
Major make the game time adjustments and does the PR work and GD gets to work with the QBs and provide a supervisor roll.
Wells - January 10, 2008
bama
I think Saban has been critical of major and his play callings for awhile now. So I dont think Major is feeling the love in Tuscaloosa. From what I remember this season, the fans in bama are not too fond of major either.
I wouldnt mind seeing major on our staff as QB coach/assistant headcoach. I mean UT has the biggest alumni base in the world and gets the most financial support than any other university. I am sure we can pay him OC salary.
BTW, is the head-coach-in-waiting and OC-in-waiting the new trend in college football??
My best guess is that Major is here to see GD to talk football as he does so frequently. After all, major claims GD is his mentor.
hookemkp - January 10, 2008
My wish
is Co-OC, with Major transitioning into play calling duties and GD moving into more of a mentor/supervisor roll and concentrate on QB development.
Wells - January 10, 2008
Not that much criticism
I've seen a LOT of OCs come and go from 'Bama over the years, and all of them had their share of criticism from that fan base. Much like Texas, the 'Bama faithful take their football VERY seriously and have never been afraid to voice displeasure - even when the team was winning big and competing for conference and national championships.
With that said, Major flew under the radar for the most part this season. The majority of the heat was reserved for quarterback John Parker Wilson's poor execution - not the offensive concept or scheme.
Saban, on the other hand, is a hard taskmaster and has never carried an entire coaching staff from one season to the next. If Major's looking to get out of Tuscaloosa, it's definitely due more to pressure from Saban than from the fans.
beast in bama - January 10, 2008
I've always heard...
...that Major will never work under Mack b/c he felt so slighted during the Simms years. But what do I know.Also, here's to hoping I can change my name to wwDSd.
WWJCD - January 10, 2008
Heard the same
I don't blame him either. He did get pretty well screwed over.
Texas Our Texas - January 10, 2008
But he did work under Mack
as a graduate assistant, so I don't really believe that.
Wells - January 10, 2008
true,
but that was for his first job and the only obvious place for him to start.
WWJCD - January 10, 2008
I think
with his reputation coming out of college, he could have got that job at a lot of schools.
Wells - January 10, 2008
Yes, but
If I recall, he was still going to school to complete his graduate degree. So, I doubt he would have gone elsewhere, and it is not like he worked that closely with Mack, certainly not to the degree that he would have to as OC.
Texas Our Texas - January 11, 2008
Major/Mack
I wouldn't blame him either if that's how he feels but I also think he can put that behind him to take a major staff spot at one of the premier programs in the country and his alma mater. Texas under Mack has proven to be fertile ground for aspiring head coaches.
Horndogger - January 10, 2008
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