On Thursday morning, Major Applewhite, the new head coach of the Jacksonville football team, was officially announced by the University of South Alabama.
According to indications that USA was closing the deal, making Applewhite the fourth head coach in Jaguars history, FOX10 News stated on Wednesday.
Joel Erdmann, the director of USA Athletics, stated, “After a thorough assessment of our program, it became very evident that Major Applewhite is the best leader for us in both the short and long term.” The selection was influenced by his professional background, the mentors he had during his career, and his track record of attracting, nurturing, and maintaining connections with student-athletes. I am quite enthusiastic about our future and am looking forward to working with coach Applewhite as we proceed.
Applewhite spent the past three seasons with the Jaguars as the team’s offensive coordinator. South Alabama went 22-16 during that time, including a 10-win season in 2022 and a 2023 campaign that culminated with the first bowl win in school history.
“I’m incredibly humbled and excited to be the next head football coach at the University of South Alabama,” said Applewhite for a news release. “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 replaces Kane Wommack, who resigned as the Jaguars head coach amid reports he is headed to Tuscaloosa to become the defensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Applewhite spent two seasons as the head coach at Houston, guiding the Cougars to a record of 15-11 with two bowl game appearances. He subsequently spent two seasons as an analyst on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama.
In 2007, he served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and from 2008 to 2013 Applewhite coached at his alma mater, Texas, in various roles.
