Major Applewhite is a former record-breaking college football quarterback who has become a successful head coach. He is currently in his first season as the South Alabama Jaguars head coach. He is only the fourth head coach in the school’s football history. Born on July 26, 1978 in Baton Rouge Louisiana his name now has a place in college football history as the University of Texas’s all-time leading passer.
Who Is Major Applewhite?
Lee Applewhite is an American football coach and former player, the current head coach of the South Alabama Jaguars football team since January 2024. He previously held high-profile assistant coaching positions at Alabama under Nick Saban, Texas under Mack Brown, and as the offensive coordinator at Houston. As a player he was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year (1998) and Big 12 co-Offensive Player of the Year (1999).
Major Applewhite Age
Major Applewhite is 47 years old as of 2026, born on July 26, 1978. His birth sign is Leo, and he was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Major Applewhite Biography Overview
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Major Lee Applewhite |
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1978 |
| Age (2026) | 47 years old |
| Birth Place | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
| Current Position | Head Coach, South Alabama Jaguars (2024-present) |
| Playing Position | Quarterback (College) |
| College | University of Texas (1998-2001) |
| Degree | Bachelor’s in Sport Management, UT |
| Playing Years at Texas | 1998-2001 |
| Career Passing Yards | 8,353 yards (record at the time) |
| Career TD Passes | 60 touchdowns |
| School Records Held | 40 records (8 official), many still stand |
| Major Playing Honors | Big 12 Freshman of the Year (1998), Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year (1999), All-Big 12 First Team |
| Coaching Start | Graduate Assistant at Texas (2003-2004) |
| Head Coaching Record | 22-17 FBS, 1-3 bowl record |
| National Championship | 2020 CFP National Champion (Alabama, offensive analyst) |
| Bowl Victory as HC | 2024 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl (first in program history) |
| First Head Coaching Job | Houston Cougars (2017-2018) |
| Previous Programs | Syracuse, Rice, Alabama, Texas, Houston, South Alabama |
| Wife | Julie Villarreal Applewhite (married July 15, 2005) |
| Children | 2: Daughter Lila, Son Nash |
| Current Residence | Mobile, Alabama |
| Coaching Style | No-nonsense, explosive offenses, QB development |
| Coached Under Legends | Mack Brown, Nick Saban, Tom Herman |
Major Applewhite & Julie Applewhite Love Story
Major Applewhite married Julie Villarreal Applewhite on July 15, 2005. The couple would celebrate their 20 thanniversary in 2025. Major married a fellow Texan, born in San Antonio, Texas. Her education consisted of attending Robert E. Lee High School. This union has lasted over 20 years through all the ups and downs of college football coaching.
Major Applewhite Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
| Height | 6’3″ (191 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lbs (98 kg) |
| Birth Date | July 26, 1978 |
| Age | 47 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birth Place | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
| Position (Playing) | Quarterback |
| Body Type | Athletic, Dual-Threat Quarterback |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown/Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Build | Muscular, Commanding Presence |
Early Life and Family Background of Major Applewhite
Applewhite born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he lived until taking his game to Texas. He played high school football in Louisiana where he starred as a quarterback. Hailing from a family that supported his career, he refined his craft to become one of the most decorated quarterbacks in the history of the University of Texas.
Major Applewhite College Football Career at University of Texas
Applewhite was the quarterback for the Texas Longhorns from 1998 to 2001. He was the Big 12 co-Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, in 1999, after replacing the starting signal caller. He was also the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 1998. He is or has shared 40 school records while at Texas.
Major Applewhite’s Record as Texas Longhorns Quarterback
Major Applewhite set 8 school records at Texas, many of which still stand today. His notable records include:
| Record | Achievement |
| Career passing yards | 8,353 yards (record at the time) |
| Longest pass play | 97 yards (still stands) |
| Passing yards in a game | 473 yards (still stands) |
| Consecutive passes without interception | 156 (record at the time) |
| Total school records | 40 records held or shared |
He led Texas to a victory over #7 Nebraska Cornhuskers, snapping Nebraska’s 47-game home winning streak.
Major Applewhite vs Chris Simms Rivalry Explained
Applewhite was the quarterback at UT that played in the shadow of Chris Simms, son of NFL legendary Phil Simms. Much of the story of Applewhite to this point becomes about the battle with Simms. Although Simms was the first starter, Applewhite would emerge as the true starter and it made both quarterbacks’ careers. Simms was taken in the first round by the Tennessee Titans, while Applewhite became the all-time leader in pass completions at the school and passed Simms in school records.
Major Applewhite Coaching Career Timeline
| Years | Team | Position |
| 2011-2014 | University of Texas | Assistant Head Coach & Quarterbacks Coach |
| 2013 | Texas Longhorns | Co-Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach |
| 2015 | Houston Cougars | Offensive Coordinator |
| 2016 | Houston Cougars | Head Coach (promoted) |
| 2017-2018 | Houston Cougars | Head Coach |
| 2019-2020 | University of Alabama | Assistant Coach |
| 2021-2023 | South Alabama | Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach |
| 2024-present | South Alabama Jaguars | Head Coach |
Applewhite also held assistant roles at Rice and Syracuse during his coaching career.
Major Applewhite as Offensive Coordinator
As offensive coordinator, Applewhite has crafted explosive offenses that have ranked in the top of the league. At Houston, he was OC in 2015 before becoming head coach. At South Alabama (2021-2023), Applewhite has led one of the most explosive teams in school history with a school-record 87-point showing against Northwestern State and a school-record 430 points in 2023. Missouri State has been in the top two in the Sun Belt Conference in total offense and rushing touchdowns.
Major Applewhite at University of Alabama
Applewhite was on Saban’s Alabama staff in 2019 assisting in the program’s run to the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. As a part of one of the most successful coaches in college football, Applewhite gained valuable knowledge working under Saban that would influence his coaching career.
Major Applewhite’s Time with Houston Cougars Football
Applewhite was hired as the Cougars offensive coordinator in 2015 and became the head coach in 2016. During his time as Houston’s head coach in 2017-2018, he led the Cougars to two bowl games. His time at Houston proved that he is a quality FBS level head coach and recruiter.
Major Applewhite Coaching Style and Strategy
Applewhite has a “no-nonsense outlook to coaching”. His coaching style emphasizes:
- Explosive offensive schemes that prioritize passing and rushing balance
- Player development, particularly for quarterbacks
- Consistent success learned from coaching under Mack Brown, Nick Saban, and Tom Herman
- Disciplined execution and fundamental football principles
- Adaptability across different programs and conference levels
His offensive coordinations consistently produced top-ranked offenses in total offense and scoring.
Major Applewhite Career Highlights and Achievements
| Achievement | Description |
| Big 12 Freshman of the Year | 1998 (Texas) |
| Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year | 1999 (Texas) |
| Texas School Records | 40 records held/shared |
| Alabama National Championship | 2020 (as assistant) |
| South Alabama Bowl Victory | 2024 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl |
| First South Alabama HC to win bowl | Debut season achievement |
| FBS Head Coaching Record | 22-17 |
He also produced multiple All-Sun Belt selections and NFL free agent signees during his time at South Alabama.
Major Applewhite Social Media Presence
| ID | Platform | Followers |
| @CoachApplewhite | X (Twitter) | 38.2K Followers |
| @coachdaddy11 | 609 Followers | |
| Major Applewhite OC / South Alabama Football | Not publicly disclosed (Official team page features him) |
Major Applewhite Net Worth in 2026
Major Applewhite’s net worth in 2026 is estimated between $2-5 million, based on his career as a head coach at the FBS level and his previous assistant coaching positions. His compensation has increased significantly since becoming South Alabama’s head coach in 2024, reflecting his successful track record and the program’s investment in his leadership.
| Year | Net Worth | Salary/Earnings | Key Details |
| 2023 | ~$2.5 million | $334,250 (South Alabama OC) | Final year as offensive coordinator at South Alabama |
| 2024 | ~$3.2 million | $825,000 (South Alabama HC base) | Promoted to head coach (Jan 2024), signed 5-year deal |
| 2025 | ~$4.0 million | $825,000 (base) + incentives | Second year as Jaguars head coach, 4-8 record |
| 2026 | ~$4.9 million | $825,000 (base) + bonuses | Third year as head coach, total 5-year contract worth $4.125M |
Major Applewhite Salary and Contracts
[As of 2024], Applewhite’s compensation as South Alabama’s HC reflects that he is South Alabama’s 4th head coach in school history. No specifics have been released on his contract, but head coaches in the Sun Belt Conference (FBS) generally make between $1-3M per year. His fulltimestings at Alabama (Championship staff) and Houston (Head coach) will also have been trend-setters for his career earnings.
Major Applewhite Wife, Marriage, and Children
Major Applewhite is married to Julie Villarreal Applewhite (married July 15, 2005). The couple has two children:
| Child | Name |
| Daughter | Lila Applewhite |
| Son | Nash Applewhite |
The family resides in Mobile, Alabama, where Major serves as South Alabama’s head coach. Julie plays an active role in the football program and family life, supporting Major through his coaching career transitions.
Lesser-Known Facts About Major Applewhite
- Snapped Nebraska’s 47-game home winning streak as a player at Texas
- Coached under three legendary coaches: Mack Brown (Texas), Nick Saban (Alabama), and Tom Herman (Houston)
- First South Alabama head coach to win a bowl game in his debut season (2024)
- Holds the record for longest pass play at Texas (97 yards) that still stands
- Bachelor’s degree in sport management from Texas
- 87-point game against Northwestern State as South Alabama OC—the most explosive performance in school history
- Produced NFL free agent signees while at South Alabama
FAQs About Major Applewhite
What is Major Applewhite’s current coaching position?
Major Applewhite is the head coach of South Alabama Jaguars football since January 2024.
How old is Major Applewhite?
He is 47 years old, born July 26, 1978.
What records did Major Applewhite set at Texas?
He held 40 school records, including 8 official records like career passing yards (8,353), 97-yard longest pass, and 473 passing yards in a game.
Did Major Applewhite win a national championship?
Yes, as an assistant coach at Alabama in 2020, he won the College Football Playoff National Championship.
What is Major Applewhite’s head coaching record?
His FBS head coaching record is 22-17 with a 1-3 bowl record.
Conclusion on Major Applewhite
Major Applewhite is the embodiment of the complete football experiencefrom breakthrough quarterback at Texas, to nationally renowned championship coach at Alabama, to historic first-time head coach at South Alabama. His Texas 40 school records, Big 12 awards, and 2020 national championship speak to his playing career, his bowl win during his first season coaching South Alabama in 2024 shows his ability as a head coach, and the 22-17 FBS head coaching record, 20 year marriage to long-time love, Julie, and two children show his durability as a man. His ‘step on you” attitude toward the game, aggressive offensive gameplans, and mastery of quarterback development also make him an up-and-coming success story in college football coaching. As South Alabama continues to develop and is built up, Applewhite is continuing to grow his own legacy as a quarterback and coach in 2026.
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