A good Major Applewhite story

Harry · November 28, 2015

HOUSTON -- Fifteen years ago, he was the cocky, freckle-faced, undersized star QB sparking one of the most storied programs in the game's history. Eight years ago, he was the wunderkind offensive coach rising up the ranks faster than anyone in the business. One year ago, he'd become a ghost in the same town where he had been the beloved hero quarterback. Suddenly, he'd turned into the guy folks didn't know what to say to and was "treated like a leper."

Major Applewhite had lost his job as the offensive coordinator at his Texas alma mater; worse still, he had embarrassed his family after what he termed a "one-time" transgression with a UT student trainer that had rendered their private lives all too public. The coach who many once figured would be running his own program by the time he reached his early 30s realized he had to do some serious "soul-searching."

That process, which also included counseling, forced Applewhite and his wife to ask themselves some very awkward questions.

"There's been things that have happened in terms of my marriage, my child; successes, major failures that have allowed me to look at myself as a person and say, 'Is this who you are?' Is this who you want to be?'" Applewhite told FOX Sports last week. "There was some real soul-searching at times where you look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'Are you pleased with what you see?' And the answer is no. So there's changes that you have to make in your life. You have to constantly hold yourself accountable."

Applewhite and his wife sized up his options. They talked about staying in Austin and him getting a 9-to-5, but he knew he loved coaching too much.

"I love the game and everything that comes with it, the camaraderie of the staff, the competitiveness of it and always trying to find new pieces," he said. "My wife was very supportive and said, 'Whatever makes you happy. Lila [their 6-year-old daughter] and I will make it work. We'll figure out a way to make it work.'"

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/houston-cougars-oc-coach-major-applewhite-ohio-state-buckeyes-texas-longhorns-tom-herman-041615

Edited November 28, 2015 by Harry

Cr1028 · November 28, 2015

I remember seeing him in a restaurant in Austin about a month before Herman hired him. He was just sitting there with some older guy, nobody even noticed him but me. I didn't say anything to him because I didn't want to disturb the guy while he was eating.