Major Applewhite was named the fourth head coach in South Alabama football history on January 18, 2024, after previously serving three seasons as the program’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In his first season as head coach, Applewhite led the Jaguars to a 7–6 record and a victory in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl, becoming the first head coach in program history to both reach and win a bowl game in his debut season. The 2024 campaign featured one of the most explosive offenses in school history, including an 87-point performance against Northwestern State and a program-record 430 points scored in a season the year prior while he served as offensive coordinator. Under his leadership, South Alabama consistently ranked among the Sun Belt leaders in total offense and rushing touchdowns, while producing multiple All-Sun Belt selections and NFL free agent signees.
In 2025, Applewhite guided the Jaguars through a competitive season highlighted by a 42–35 victory over Southern Miss in the home finale and continued individual milestones, including a single-season rushing record by Kentrel Bullock and standout defensive performances from Nehemiah Chandler. Before returning to South Alabama as head coach, Applewhite served as head coach at Houston from 2017–18, leading the Cougars to two bowl appearances. He also held assistant roles at Alabama, Texas, Rice, and Syracuse, contributing to championship runs including Alabama’s 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. A former standout quarterback at Texas, Applewhite was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and later the conference’s co-Offensive Player of the Year. He earned his degree in sport management from Texas and resides in Mobile with his wife, Julie, and their two children.
