Applewhite would fit at SMU
By Sam Thomas - 11/20/07
Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have been the victims
of their own missed opportunities this season. The Tide's loss to
BCS-leading LSU on Nov. 3, then the two losses after that to
unranked foes Mississippi State and the University of Louisiana-
Monroe, have eliminated then from the race for the SEC West
title, largely due to self-inflicted errors. But the year has shown
a lot of promise.
The offense has looked pretty good in stretches, improved over
last year's total yards and is scoring around five-and-a-half
points more per game. Unfortunately, this may caused another
set back for Saban and the Tide - the loss of their first year
offensive coordinator, Major Applewhite.
Applewhite took the job under Saban after a one-year stint
with Rice as their offensive coordinator. While at Rice,
Applewhite contributed to a turnaround of the offense and,
along with then-head coach Todd Graham, the entire program.
The offense produced an All-American in Jarrett Dillard, and
the team went to the New Orleans Bowl. The team's rejuvenation
has been largely credited to Applewhite's scheme and new attitude.
But then, Major Applewhite has always been an achiever.
And a very big opportunity has been presented to him.
A little over 20 days ago, SMU announced that it had fired
its head football coach, Phil Bennett. The head coaching job at
SMU was one of the most prestigious in college football
until the Death Penalty was imposed upon them in 1987. Since
then, there have been no bowl games and no winning seasons.
Coach after coach has been fired or not renewed due to failure.
The program has seemed lost during the whole time. Maybe
they have just gotten some direction, as they seem to be
considering Applewhite for the job.
It's a tough choice for Applewhite. He grew up a fan of Alabama
and has been part of a revival there in the football program and
in the national attention they are receiving. But Dallas is back
in Texas, and only three hours away from Austin, where
Applewhite was one of the most beloved figures in Longhorn
football history. His late game heroics (like the near comeback
over Colorado), his relatively small size and his all-around ability
to make plays endeared him to Texas fans, especially after the
arrival of Chris Simms.
This is a huge opportunity from a stepping stone standpoint as well.
If Applewhite were to come to SMU and perhaps get them to
a bowl game and restore some dignity to the storied program,
big-name schools going through rebuilding periods would be
fighting over him.
Plus, Applewhite is only 28. When he took over the Rice job, he
was the youngest Bowl Championship Division coordinator.
If hired, he would be the division's youngest head coach.
However, if Applewhite were to change jobs, it would be his
fourth change in as many years. It is easy to imagine how
trying that can be on a family, and even easier to see why
he might want to stay. The SEC, while known predominantly
for its hard hitting defenses, is also one of the best offensive
conferences in the country. And, like gold is refined by fire,
those offenses only get better by facing brutal opponents.
The future, though, is uncertain. For SMU, there are
other candidates besides the apparent No. 1. For Applewhite,
there are still games of import to play. A bowl bid, coupled
with the Iron Bowl, should give him plenty to scheme for
on the field and not give him much time to think about
what may happen off it. There's still time for him after
the games to make sure going to SMU will not
be another missed opportunity.
http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/11/20/Sports/Applewhite.Would.Fit.At.Smu-3111915.shtml
Last time I checked 6-5 was a winning season.
