Think this is a good insight into Major’s thinking. He wasn’t the Golden-boy UT QB (Chris Simms), he was the plucky underdog that did everything he could to scrap and claw his way to be the starter. He may be a Longhorn, but he fits right in as the head coach of the Coogs.
Major Applewhite’s road to Houston OC job went through Ohio State
Houston Football: Major Applewhite’s road to Cougars OC job went through Ohio State
To say Applewhite had an edge would be a massive understatement. It rubbed more than a few people the wrong way. Then again, it probably was also a big part of why he won Nick Saban’s confidence to get hired as his offensive coordinator at Alabama when he was just 28. Or how the year before, Applewhite, as the youngest OC at the FBS level, guided Rice to the most points the Owls had ever scored in one season and to their first bowl in 45 years. Or how in his first two seasons at UT, Applewhite rallied the 'Horns to six victories in games in which they trailed or were tied late in the fourth quarter.
“I’m as open and honest and transparent with my players as you can imagine,” said Applewhite. "I try not to be the guy who lives in the glory days. I think the players appreciate where you’re coming from. I think there’s a level of understanding. I’m not here to judge them. I talked to them about that just yesterday. I’m not here to judge your personal life. I’m here to help you. When the tape comes on I am here to judge because only one guy can play.
“So much of what we do in coaching in general is overcoming adversity. That’s what really defines your great players.”