Saturday, January 15, 2011
AUSTIN -- Yesterday the Firemajorapplewhite.com Library unveiled a massive trove of newly digitized material, in anticipation of the 75th month anniversary of the site's first post. Currently the archive features approximately 200,000 pages; 300 reels of audio tape, containing more than 1,245 individual recordings of telephone calls; speeches and meetings; 300 museum artifacts; 72 reels of film and 1,500 photos.
Included in that collection are a number of historical gems, including the following:
August 15, 2010:"It's been more than two years since our last update, what can we possibly do to live up to the anticipation that has been created?""I don't know, sir. It seems like we are at a bit of impasse. Major is a Longhorn first and last, that is a given. But the road to advancement in Austin runs through Broyles Award winning offensive coordinator Greg Davis and we all know he is not going anywhere."
"Not good enough. WE ARE ABOUT TO DROP OFF THE FRONT PAGE OF THE GOOGLE RESULTS! With that goes the very steady adwords cash flow that this site throws off on a regular basis and allows us all to live the lives that we lead. I can not return to 9-5 drudgery!""Well, nobody wants to read about firing the beloved running backs coach of a perennial national championship contender.""That's certainly true... but... under the right circumstances...""Yes?""Yes, what?""What were you saying? Keep talking.""What was I saying?""You were saying in the right circumstances...?""Yes, it's quite possible..."[audio ends]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Bright star! would I were steadfast as thou art—
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night,
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like Nature’s patient sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors—
No—yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever—or else swoon to death.
-- John Keats
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
The Restoration??
Kirk Bohls thinks its a done deal:
With rumors swirling about the possible return of Longhorn legend Major Applewhite to Austin as new running backs coach with a possible title attached, here’s what we know.
Texas has an opening for a ... offensive coordinator. Applewhite has always been... a... hero. I know Major... It is... true... hold your breath for Major’s return.
Friday, November 30, 2007
The end to speculation
Michigan < Miles
LSU < Saban
Alabama < Kragthorpe
Louisville < Nutt
Arkansas < Tuberville
Auburn < Petrino
Falcons < Applewhite
This is from a Level 1 source.
LSU < Saban
Alabama < Kragthorpe
Louisville < Nutt
Arkansas < Tuberville
Auburn < Petrino
Falcons < Applewhite
This is from a Level 1 source.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Next Stop: Death Penalty U?
We've been getting bags of letters from our readers in Dallas about the SMU rumors. Our take: Major's too smart for that. Plus who wants to live in Dallas?
Dallas Morning News
CBS Sportsline:
Dallas Morning News
Here's someone he should consider who doesn't fit that mold: Major Applewhite.
He helped resurrect Rice's moribund program last year and has done a good job as
Alabama's offensive coordinator. He can still draw on his experiences as a
quarterback at Texas, and he would attract any expatriate Longhorn fans.
More important: He'd install the kind of offense that would give SMU a
legitimate shot to win.
CBS Sportsline:
No matter what happens Saturday, Applewhite will be one of the hottest assistant coaches in the country. His name is already being mentioned for the opening at SMU. Hopefully, he's smarter than that.
When you successfully coordinate Alabama's offense, you deserve better than Death Penalty U.
I would expect SMU to go after a proven coach after Phil Bennett failed to
deliver in his first run as a head man. Ask yourself this: Can SMU afford to
turn over the program to an unproven coach? I say "no." Guys whom I think should
get looks are Gary Barnett, Mason and Bowden.
Still, don't be shocked to see Alabama offensive coordinator Major Applewhite mentioned as a candidate.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
What the kids are saying on the Facebook
The Major Applewhite Shrine
This group is about the greatest football player of all time - Major Applewhite. Major could read defenses like Chuck Norris can kick asses. He always played with the utmost will to win and gave his all in every game he played in. This made him one of the most popular players in Texas Football history.
Major Applewhite for UT Offensive Coordinator
Greg Davis is an embarrassment. We all know Major's got it in him. He turned Vince Young from a good football player to a demigod. He doesn't have the tools at Rice to make his magic work. Let's bring him back to the big leagues.
Bring The Major to Aggieland
Aggie Football is currently in shambles. We run a high school defense, we can't throw the ball, and our coaching staff couldn't bring a conference championship to the neighborhood Pop Warner team. Only one thing can save our beloved program, and savior, thy name is Major. Bring Major Applewhite to Aggieland!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Next Stop: College Station?
So Alabama lost in overtime to the Dawgs. Big deal... Georgia had the clear talent advantage and the scrappy underdog Alabama coaching staff and players did well to keep the game so close. None of this should distract anyone from the big question confronting the Alabama football program this year -- who will replace Major Applewhite when he is hired to be the head coach of a big time football program this winter. The Aggies want him. So do a very vocal contingent of Longhorn fans. Could he spend the next 50 years in Happy Valley? Or does he take care of some unfinished personal business at Morehead State University? What do you think?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
FMA Special Feature: Interview with a Dawg
On the eve of the Alabama v. Georgia showdown in Tuscaloosa, we sat down with a prominent UGA booster to break down the game:
FMA: Who do you think Willie Martinez [UGA DC] has been dreaming about this week?
A: Tim Tebow, Andre Caldwell, Percy Harvin, and Cornelius Ingram.
FMA: Who do you think Major Applewhite has been dreaming about this week?
A: Mack Brown and Chris Simms.
FMA: Complete the sentence: Matt Stafford is a poor man's __________________?
A: 2003 Vince Young.
FMA: Prediction for the game?
A: UGA 37, Alabama 15.
FMA: Let's say Mark Richt were to hire Major Applewhite as OC next year and bring back Joe Tereshinski III as a graduate assistant. Who would be the best quarterback on the UGA sidelines (assuming the UGA defense is on the field and Mike Bobo is not in the box)?
A: Mark Richt.
FMA: Who do you think Willie Martinez [UGA DC] has been dreaming about this week?
A: Tim Tebow, Andre Caldwell, Percy Harvin, and Cornelius Ingram.
FMA: Who do you think Major Applewhite has been dreaming about this week?
A: Mack Brown and Chris Simms.
FMA: Complete the sentence: Matt Stafford is a poor man's __________________?
A: 2003 Vince Young.
FMA: Prediction for the game?
A: UGA 37, Alabama 15.
FMA: Let's say Mark Richt were to hire Major Applewhite as OC next year and bring back Joe Tereshinski III as a graduate assistant. Who would be the best quarterback on the UGA sidelines (assuming the UGA defense is on the field and Mike Bobo is not in the box)?
A: Mark Richt.
Friday, September 07, 2007
NEW: "Fire Major!" Sleeveless Tee!
New for the 2007 football season, fma.com is proud to offer the "Fire Major!" sleeveless tee! Wear this with your crocs and croakies to your next SEC tailgate!"Air Tide"
Major Applewhite pulled a two-fer last week with a 52-point Greg Davis-esque effort against a directional team and the verbal commitment of future star QB recruit Star Jackson.
As the Tide prepare to enter the meat of their schedule with the always challenging Vanderbilt Commodores, odds site covers.com is optimistic about the upcoming season:
As the Tide prepare to enter the meat of their schedule with the always challenging Vanderbilt Commodores, odds site covers.com is optimistic about the upcoming season:
Alabama’s offense should be explosive this year. They’ve already been given the nickname “Air Tide” by some media pundits.
...
Major Applewhite is the new offensive coordinator. The former Texas QB, just 28 years old, had many offers for the same position after his success at Rice a year ago, LSU among them. He chose Bama, perhaps because he was named after former Crimson Tide All-American RB Major Ogilvie.
(Applewhite has his detractors, though. Check out the humorous website Firemajorapplewhite.com.)
...
Alabama will be undervalued in the pointspread based on last year’s results, but that’s what we’re looking for... Alabama will be much improved this year, both straight up and against the spread. Be sure to play them on the moneyline when they are in the underdog role.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Major Maisel Mojo
Ivan Maisel provides a peek into Major's unique philosophy regarding the importance of setting goals for oneself.
The logical question that presents itself to a 28-year-old offensive coordinator is how long before he becomes a head coach. For all his moving, Applewhite said he hasn't had a career plan. He has reacted to opportunities as they have presented themselves.NOTE: Thanks to our helpful readers for pointing out the incorrect usage of the word "peak"... hopefully this will put to rest the oft-stated "fact" that nobody in Alabama can read.
"Goals and all that kind of stuff, that's something I don't give much credence to," Applewhite said. "I want to be somewhere where I can win. I want to be at a school that has a tradition of winning and a chance to win. I want to be around good people, interesting people that I enjoy being around every day. And I want to be around people I can learn from."
He might even decide to stay with them for more than one season. Here's one clue: He and Julie, having rented in Syracuse and Houston, just bought their first home. And here's another: As Applewhite put it, "I told one of my coaching buddies the other day, 'I'm tired of installing an offense. I want to go into a spring and tweak.'"
Friday, January 12, 2007
Major pulls a Saban
Alabama's hiring of Nick Saban may have been a media circus but it paled in comparison to the cloud of rumors surrounding Major over the past few days. According to the Houston Chronicle, however, the saga is over:
An NCAA official confirmed that Rice offensive coordinator Major Applewhite will be named quarterbacks coach at Alabama under new coach Nick Saban.Join us again here at FMA in two years when Saban leaves Alabama to try his hand at minor league baseball and Major becomes the head coach at TCU. (Gary Patterson to the Crimson Tide, of course, and the cycle repeats itself...)
Graham to Tulsa?!
An unexpected development in the Major sweepstakes:
Sources: Graham next TU coach
Sources: Graham next TU coach
Todd Graham will be named the University of Tulsa's next head coach, multiple sources told the Tulsa World on Thursday night. The news comes one year after the Golden Hurricane's former defensive coordinator departed to take the same position at Rice.Is Rice ready for a head coach younger than most of its graduate students? Does a few years as a graduate assistant at Texas, a 1-10 season in the Big East, and a 7-6 season as OC in the WAC, culminating in a bowl loss to Troy State, mean you are reading for a D-1A coaching position? Could a scrappy undersized QB lead Texas to a come from behind victory in the Holiday Bowl? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Stay tuned...
Graham, 42, didn't return repeated messages left on his cell phone throughout this week and on Thursday. Tulsa athletic director Bubba Cunningham was unavailable for comment.
Cunningham flew to Houston on Thursday evening to seal the deal. Graham is expected to fly to Tulsa on Friday, and a news conference introducing the new coach could take place later that afternoon.
Graham will take over for Steve Kragthorpe, who was introduced as the University of Louisville's coach on Tuesday afternoon. Graham spent three seasons under Kragthorpe running the TU defense.
...
Graham's departure stunned the Rice community.
"I'm kind of upset personally," Rice cornerback Ja'Corey Shepherd told the Houston Chronicle. "We just got adjusted to these coaches, and it's going to be hard to get adjusted to a whole new set of coaches.
"For Coach Graham to leave is a disappointment to me."
Thursday, January 11, 2007
LSU, Holla!
Word on the street is that Major may be named the new Co-OC and QB coach at LSU. Looks like Les wants to change the headline from yesterday's classic: Russell going pro, Perrilloux under investigation.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Major Update
We've had close to 3,000 visitors in the last 5 days (95% from the greater Tuscaloosa metro area) so we will break tradition and provide more than a bi-monthly update. Here's a round-up of the most recent Major speculation... including a rumor about the LSU OC job:
The Prine Report:
Jimbo Fisher will not be coming to Alabama and has made up with Bobby Bowden. It was announced yesterday that Fisher will be joining the FSU staff as offensive coordinator. Now, ironically, LSU and Alabama each have Major Applewhite on their list of possible OC candidates. This could make for even more interesting drama between the two schools since Nick Saban left the Dolphins to become Bama’s head coach.
Journalism is for RockStars:
From what I've picked up, Rice offensive coordinator Major Applewhite is supposed to accept the OC job at Alabama (according to the disembodied voices at WJOX).
Of course, there are detractors of Applewhite's success at Rice (motto: "We're good at baseball. The rest can suck it."). Just ask the guys at Fire Major Applewhite!.
According to their poll, 76 percent of readers want Applewhite on a private plane to Tuscaloosa. Considering his offense was one of the best, if not the best, in Rice history, I'd be down with that.
The Birmingham News (via The Rice Football Webletter)
It was not clear when Saban will announce the rest of his staff, though a key time frame appears to be this weekend's big recruiting date.
Add your own rumor on the FMA Discussion Board.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Hold out for $40 Million
The meteoric rise of the Major continues:
After helping steer Rice to its first bowl berth in 45 years, Owls offensive coordinator Major Applewhite was contacted by Alabama on Saturday to gauge his interest in joining the staff of new Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.He sounds pretty committed. Rest easy, Rice.
"I have been contacted, and I do have some interest, but I have not been offered the job," Applewhite said. "I'll sit down with my wife, Julie, and we'll make a decision this week.
"Right now, I'm still committed to Rice and the recruiting class we have coming here."
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
FMA Special Feature: Interview with a Buckeye
With the national championship game quickly approaching, we sat down with a prominent Ohio State booster to break down the game and some off-season coaching rumors:
FMA: Do you think Rice deserves a shot against Ohio State for the national championship given their stunning turnaround this year?
A: Probably not. While they have looked impressively better this year, and while the last time they were in a bowl they put on a strong performance (see the '61 Bluebonnet Bowl), I think they need another year before being ready for the national championship game.
FMA: Have you heard any rumors of Jim Tressel looking for a new offensive coordinator and if so what names have you heard thrown around?
A: No
FMA: If Major Applewhite were the offensive coordinator of Ohio State this year, who would be the best quarterback on the sidelines (assuming Applewhite was on the sidelines and not in the booth... and the defense was on the field)?
A: Justin Zwick
FMA: Can you think of an appropriate non-Ohio State alum to dot the "i" at the championship game?
A: Beano Cook
FMA: Do you think Rice deserves a shot against Ohio State for the national championship given their stunning turnaround this year?
A: Probably not. While they have looked impressively better this year, and while the last time they were in a bowl they put on a strong performance (see the '61 Bluebonnet Bowl), I think they need another year before being ready for the national championship game.
FMA: Have you heard any rumors of Jim Tressel looking for a new offensive coordinator and if so what names have you heard thrown around?
A: No
FMA: If Major Applewhite were the offensive coordinator of Ohio State this year, who would be the best quarterback on the sidelines (assuming Applewhite was on the sidelines and not in the booth... and the defense was on the field)?
A: Justin Zwick
FMA: Can you think of an appropriate non-Ohio State alum to dot the "i" at the championship game?
A: Beano Cook
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Congratulations, Major!
Rice is bowl eligible for first time in over 40 years! Major and the rest of the new coaching staff at Rice have performed remarkably this year... which is great for us at fma.com (see our first post from almost two years ago).
Keep it coming Major! Until, of course...
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Colt vs. Major
It doesn't get much bigger than this.
P.S. If you're curious about the purpose of this site, scroll to the bottom and read up.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Rice Punters
Sportsmemo.com ("Sports from a Vegas Perspectives") give some handicapping tips for the lost souls who wager on the Rice Owls:
The Owls will now undergo the same type of drastic system switch that Army went through a few years back with Todd Berry and Nebraska went through with Bill Callahan... The returning offensive personnel on hand was all recruited for the triple option run-dominated system, and now they will be asked to execute a pass-happy scheme. The Owls will likely to take their lumps right out of the gate as they go through this transition phase much the way Army and Nebraska did in recent editions.... New offensive coordinator Major Applewhite will have his hands full with this project after having little success getting any positive progression out of the quarterbacks he coached at Syracuse last year.
The defense returns seven starters... The Owls no longer have a rushing system that can churn out yards, eat up clock and give their small and thin defense a rest. Sustained drives will now be replaced by a host of three and outs that take no time off the clock. I feel Rice will wear down defensively in every game, especially in the second half of the season. I wouldn't expect much improvement on Rice's defensive statistics this season. This team might improve in the future, but these changes are just too radical for the current personnel. I'll look to capitalize on the Owls’ coaching change by playing against them at select times this season.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
The season is almost here!
It may only be June, but it's not too early to start thinking about the upcoming college football season. Is this the year Rice turns the corner and knocks off the Longhorns? The year Rice wins the tradition-laden WAC C-USA crown? The year the Owls finally shrug off the title of Best University Never to Have Won a National Championship?
Sunday Morning Quarterback has a good assessment of this year's Rice squad and seems to indicate that, yes, this might just be the year...
And in college football, a few lucky bounces is usually the difference between just a bowl game and... the National Championship Game.
Sunday Morning Quarterback has a good assessment of this year's Rice squad and seems to indicate that, yes, this might just be the year...
Suffice to say, the static playbook and determined nostalgia of the Ken Hatfield Experience, wallowing annually at the bottom of the nation's passing rankings [is over].
...running the new offense? None other than Texas legend Major "Babyface" Applewhite, coming off a short stint as quarterbacks coach for Syracuse, where his boys responded to the adorable former star's tutelage by throwing for more than twice as many interceptions (15) as touchdowns (6), finishing 115th in pass efficiency - two spots worse than even the Owls' barely exisitent air game - and generally playing so poorly that a Google search for the former Big Twelve newcomer and co-offensive player of the year comes back with www.firemajorapplewhite.com on top...
... New scheme, new attitude, new optimism... The talent level here is... legitimate... could help push the team to... wins on the field... a threat to get into... bowl games....
And in college football, a few lucky bounces is usually the difference between just a bowl game and... the National Championship Game.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Todd Graham introduction rally!
Some great pictures from The Rice Football Newsletter:
As the new head coach speaks, Major examines a perfect 3D holographic copy of himself that a clever Rice freshman created in his dorm room the night before.
Next year's recruiting class looks on.
Rice cheerleaders!
As the new head coach speaks, Major examines a perfect 3D holographic copy of himself that a clever Rice freshman created in his dorm room the night before.
Next year's recruiting class looks on.
Rice cheerleaders!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Talk about a meteoric rise
Wow.
Former University of Texas quarterback Major Applewhite is set to join new Rice coach Todd Graham's staff as offensive coordinator, a person with intimate knowledge of the situation told the Chronicle on Saturday night.Chris Simms loses a playoff game on the same day Major gets a big promotion... the script keeps writing itself!
P.S. What kind of offense will Major institute? Does Rice have someone on their roster that can throw a forward pass? Congrats Major, but once again you will be the best QB on your sideline.
P.P.S. The line directly above is not an anti-Chris Simms quip, but an anti-Syracuse quip. Readers of this site can be extremely touchy on this topic...
Thursday, December 29, 2005
www.firejoshheupel.com is available
One week into his job as QB coach at OU is NOT too soon.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
Web site geek owes Applewhite big apology
Mike Downey of the Chicago Tribune penned a gem last week on the proliferation of fire [coachname] websites, in particular one directed at Joe Paterno. You can read Downey's article, although his two opening sentences sum it up fairly well:
UPDATE: Readers have asked if I am merely striking out at Downey because of the overwhelming shame I feel regarding this site. Check back next week for the answer!
UPDATE 2: I've edited the above post for brevity. The readers of this site demand less navel gazing and more non-stop attacks on a Big East quarterbacks coach. Stand by.
Let's talk a little today about low-life, lily-livered, spineless, slimy, sleazy vermin with Web sites.Respect.
For example, the ones at FireJoePaterno.com
UPDATE: Readers have asked if I am merely striking out at Downey because of the overwhelming shame I feel regarding this site. Check back next week for the answer!
UPDATE 2: I've edited the above post for brevity. The readers of this site demand less navel gazing and more non-stop attacks on a Big East quarterbacks coach. Stand by.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
The ultimate insult: Syracuse plays Ty-Ball
The AP recap of the Syracuse loss to Notre Dame wields a stilleto:
The West Coast offense that Syracuse ran was reminiscent of the offense the Irish ran the past three season: ineffective and riddled with mistakes.Ouch. Next thing you know, people will be saying that Robinson "graduates his players."
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Welcome Dallas Morning News readers!
Some say that these fire [coach name] web sites have jumped the shark. Not as long as they keep getting press coverage...
