Major Applewhite Officially Introduced As Head Coach
The University of South Alabama officially introduced Major Applewhite as the fourth head football coach in Jaguar history on Friday in the Hargrove Club at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Applewhite was hired by former head coach Kane Wommack when he was assembling his staff when he was hired in December 2020. He served as offensive coordinator all three seasons.
In the introductory press conference Athletics director Joel Erdmann explained the process that resulted in hiring Coach Applewhite. He made sure to stress that proximity was not the determining factor in their decision. But he did say that it factored in by getting to know him over the last three seasons.
“Major Applewhite obviously was a target, and I would be lying if when Major was hired three years ago as our offensive coordinator, that that did not enter my mind or anybody else’s mind,” Erdmann said.
“However, I want to be very clear about something. Major Applewhite is not our head football coach because he was here. Major Applewhite is not our head coach because he had an office up the hill for three years. That contributed to it, that influenced it. However, Major Applewhite is our head coach because he is incredibly capable, from his experiences that President Bonner talked about, to his mentors, to his influences in his life, learning more through this process about who influenced you in your childhood, who influenced you from a family perspective…And as we started to ask those questions and get those answers, what began as a ‘this might be a good thing,’ became very, very clear and crystalized this isn’t a good thing, this is a damn great thing.”
The choice of Applewhite for the position is a popular one. President Bonner noted that there were more people present for Applewhite than was at his own introduction just two years before. Erdmann also noted that the players gave him a standing ovation when the decision was announced in a team meeting.
“I give credit to the players,” Applewhite said during his speech. “They’re the ones that have held the roster together. They’re the ones that are responsible for our success. So they’ve done a great job of that on their own. There have been departures here and there, but that’s normal. Coaches, we’re the same way too. If you think the coaches weren’t looking for jobs too, while it was uncertain, you’re crazy. So everybody was looking and that’s just normal that you’re trying to protect yourself. It’s human nature. But that we have some stability and some more people will start coming in the building with jobs, it’ll slow down.”
Applewhite has a busy time ahead of him between filling out his staff, maintaining the current roster, and recruiting for signing day.
By all indications most if not all of the remaining staff will be retained if they want to stay. There were four positions that were let go by coach Wommack after the bowl game, he was in the midst of interviewing candidates, as well as one coach left to join Jon Sumrall’s staff at Tulane.
Corey Batoon will continue to serve as defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Applewhite indicated in the press conference and later confirmed that Rob Ezell will be offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Various online outlets have reported that former Michigan State running backs coach Effrem Reed is joining the staff, presumably to coach the same position for South Alabama. Additionally, it is rumored that former Idaho head coach Paul Petrino, the younger brother of Bobby Petrino, is expected to be hired as an on-field coaching position. Petrino was an off-field analyst in 2022 before joining Central Michigan in an on-field coaching position.
Applewhite still needs to fill or distribute duties for linebackers, defensive line, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line, special teams, and strength & conditioning and will be making a public announcement on his full staff “in the near future.” But he said that, “We’re going to have coaches and staffs that are positive, energetic, and intense. I want intensity in our building, and a seriousness about our work each and every day. We’re going to have men that understand we’re changing lives. We’re changing lives each and every day in the classroom, off the field in the community, and obviously on the football field.”
After Wommack’s departure, it opened a 30-day window allowing players to enter into the transfer portal. After the regular season concluded, Caullin Lacy entered into the portal and committed to Louisville. After the bowl game Jaden Voisin, Marquise Robinson, Dontae Lucas and Yam Banks all entered into the portal. Voisin later withdrew his name and decided to stay while both Robinson and Banks have committed to other programs. Since Wommack’s announced resignation Khalil Jacobs and James Robinson have entered into the portal. However, others still have time to consider testing the waters.
Coach Applewhite stated that, while they may be shorthanded, they will be hitting the road recruiting again on Monday. The regular signing period starts on February 7th and the Jags now have additional positions open due to transfer portal losses in addition to the positions that were not filled in the early signing period in December.
As for his vision for the program, it didn’t sound like Applewhite was laying out any drastic changes from what he was a part of over the last three seasons. “I love the #OurCity, I want to put it into action,” he said. “I see the results that happen on this field and I just want to make this our city’s team. I want to create an atmosphere here in the stadium that is’ full, the people are here early, that they’re loud, that they stay late. I want to see 50-60 smokestacks (tailgating) coming up. I want to see the tops of RVs. I want to create a situation where this stadium represents our entire city.”
“I’m going to bring every single community in the city to the stadium – north, south, east, west, central. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, if you cross the bridge, I want everyone to be here on Saturday night and I want this thing to be loud and I want it to be rocking because these players are going to make it that way and I can promise you that.”
Applewhite was a key part in the record-setting performances over the last three seasons. Since they became a full FBS member in 2012, the Jags did not have a winning record until the 2022 season, which was also their first 10-win season in FBS play as well. While the 2023 was a bit of a regression, they still managed to get bowl eligible and got the program’s first postseason win with a 59-10 win over Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl played in Hancock Whitney Stadium. With the bowl win the Jags secured back-to-back winning seasons, another program first. Applewhite’s offense averaged 25 points per game in 2021 then improved to 31.2 and 33 points per game over the last two seasons.
Applewhite agreed to a 5-year contract with a base salary of $825k/year with increases in the salary pool for assistant coaches and off-field staff according to Erdmann.
Kane Wommack Resigns; Head Coaching Search Begins
After much speculation and rumor on Monday the news has been made official by the University of South Alabama and Athletics Director Joel Erdmann. Head coach Kane Wommack has resigned his position on Tuesday morning to accept the defensive coordinator position at the University of Alabama.
In three seasons at the helm of the Jaguars he led the team to a 22-16 record during his tenure. This includes a number of firsts in program history. Their first winning season at the FBS level, their winning record in back-to-back seasons, their first 10-win season in 2022, and their first bowl victory with their 59-10 win over Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl just a few weeks ago at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
“I deeply appreciate Kane’s service to our program, university and city,” said Erdmann. “His efforts propelled us forward and we wish him and Melissa the very best.”
The release by the school also said that a national search for the next head coach of the Jaguars will begin immediately.
The administration will look to hire someone quickly as the players now have a 30-day window to explore the transfer portal.
This developed quickly after newly hired head coach at Alabama, Kalen DeBoer, began assembling his staff to replaced Nick Saban. Saban announced his retirement on Wednesday and DeBoer was hired on Friday.
From within the staff, offensive coordinator Major Applewhite, will definitely be a consideration to keep player and staff continuity. He has previous head coaching experience and has a long track record in the coaching ranks. Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon may also be considered.