Houston names Major Applewhite head coach
A day after reports surfaced that Alabama's Lane Kiffin was set to take the job, Houston turned around and named offensive coordinator Major Applewhite its new head coach Friday.
Applewhite succeeds Tom Herman, who left to take over at Texas. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando - previously tabbed as Houston's interim coach - will go back to running the defense, though it's possible he could seek opportunities elsewhere after being passed over.
"When we set out on our search for the new leader of our football program, we wanted a coach with great integrity who believed in our mission and truly believed in our student-athlete experience," athletic director Hunter Yurachek said.
"We had our sights set on a focused competitor who has demonstrated success and possesses a deep connection to college and high school football in the great state of Texas. As this process was completed, it was clearly evident the only individual to offer our position to was Major Applewhite and he was indeed the right man to lead our program."
Applewhite's promotion is effective immediately, and FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman reports he'll receive a five-year contract from the Cougars.
Applewhite, Orlando, and Kiffin were all candidates to land the job. Thursday's reports suggested Houston needed only a final approval from its president to hire Kiffin, though other reports later said the job hadn't been offered to anybody and there was plenty of support mounting for one of the internal candidates.
It's unclear whether Kiffin ever had the job wrapped up, as believed, but Houston's reported insistence on a significant buyout clause to prevent a revolving door at head coach may have complicated the situation.
"My family and I are excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead such a tradition rich program and continue our lives in one of the greatest cities is the nation, a city we love," said Applewhite. "The student-athletes truly are the backbone of every great program and as they've demonstrated over the past few years, we have an exceptional group of young men in our program, and we'll continue to add men with great character and a competitive drive in our recruiting."
As offensive coordinator, Applewhite was instrumental in the development of quarterback Greg Ward Jr. over the last two years. He'll now be tasked with bringing along the next Houston pivot, as Ward is set to graduate. Former Texas A&M transfer Kyle Allen is waiting in the wings, and could take over in the huddle next season.