After two years as an offensive analyst in Alabama, Major Applewhite was hired as an offensive coordinator in South Alabama. Speaking to WNSP-FM 105.5 on Thursday, Applewhite said he enjoyed his two years in Tuscaloosa, but wanted to “get back in the game”.
Applewhite was one of eight Crimson Tide analysts who won promotions elsewhere after the 2020 season, along with Rob Ezell, AJ Milwee, Nick Perry, Patrick Reilly, Gordon Steele, Mike Stoops and Charlie Strong. And these are just analysts. Alabama also saw five assistants leave the program to climb the coach’s ladder this off-season. But it is nothing new.
“I think it’s just the deal,” Applewhite told WNSP-FM. “I think it is everywhere. I don’t think it’s just Alabama. I think it’s just college football. You just saw more turnover now. You have more money, more entertainment value and that will only make you more profitable and there will be more movement and more changing of the guard, so to speak. It is sometimes difficult, but this is only part of the business. I don’t think it’s exclusive to any school. “
The only constant in Alabama, at least for the past 14 years, is coach Nick Saban.
During an unprecedented 2020 season, Saban led the Crimson Tide to a perfect record of 13-0 against the exclusive Power 5 competition and secured his sixth national championship in 14 seasons in Tuscaloosa with a 52-24 victory over the state of Ohio. The victory was his seventh overall title, which gives him more than any other college football coach, passing Paul Bryant (6).
In addition to success in the field, Saban has just signed another recruiting class ranked No. 1 in the 2021 cycle, which was the best-rated class ever, according to 247Sports Composite. Tide is also expected to have several former players selected in the NFL’s 2021 Draft, which will increase the number of players drafted during Saban’s term in the AU to more than 100.
After his second stint in Alabama, Applewhite had nothing but praise for Saban’s success.
“You can try to imitate the coach as much as you want, but you won’t be able to,” said Applewhite.
“His focus is incredible. Your patience is incredible as a human being. I think he would probably be the same as an entrepreneur. Many things are played against you as the head coach, from the field to the field, through interviews, media and player issues. Thousands of things are played against you as a head coach daily. You have to go in there with your boxing gloves every day because there is always something. Seeing him in a place like Alabama with so much pose, patience and focus on the task at hand, without being distracted by things, is incredible.
“It was a life lesson there, regardless of football. Family life, children, focus and patience allow him to concentrate only on the task at hand, which is his football team ”.
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