by Kyle Stephens

Senior quarterback Major Applewhite has either set or tied more than 40 school passing records during his Longhorns career.

Right now, you know him as Major Applewhite, one of the most decorated quarterbacks to ever don the burnt orange and white. In the future, you may be referring to him as Coach Applewhite. For a guy who owns more than 40 school records, playing at the next level is Applewhite's No. 1 priority. However, when his football-playing days are over, the Baton Rouge, La., native certainly has something to fall back on. Make that move on to.

Coaching seems to be a natural fit for Applewhite, for he already exhibits many qualities of a dedicated coach. He can be found spending countless hours constantly working to improve his game in the film room or on the practice field. Etching his name throughout the school record books didn't just come to Applewhite - he has worked long and hard to become the player he is today. Whether it's perfecting his release or searching for that extra something on film to give him an edge against his opponent, Applewhite is a true student of the game.

For all the physical abilities it takes to become a successful college signal-caller, Applewhite believes it is just as important to know the opponent from a mental standpoint. One of his keys to success is breaking down game film. The majority of college players study tapes on a weekly basis, but Applewhite takes it a step further. He strives to get better, not just in practice, but off the field as well.

"It's extremely important to study film from a sense of gaining an understanding of the other team's fronts, schemes and philosophies," Applewhite said. "On Thursday nights, I watch an entire game of the team that we're playing that week. I usually try to watch that team's closest game to see what their philosophy is down the stretch. Basically, you study film to get a familiarity for their personnel, scheme and overall philosophy."

Gathering what you learn from practice and film study and applying it to the playing field is what separates the good players from the great ones. Even head coach Mack Brown, who has 18 years of head-coaching experience, has said that Applewhite studies football as much as any player he has been around. Offensive coordinator Greg Davis, who has been Applewhite's position coach for the past four years, agrees.

"All good coaches exhibit certain qualities," Davis said. "They are hard workers, have a passion for what they do, have a keen insight and are character guys. Major has exhibited all of those qualities in the time I've been around him. I know he'd like to coach when he's done playing and I think his future is very bright."

One could argue Applewhite's coaching dreams began as a youngster when he attended 25 summer football camps prior to his successful UT career. Besides displaying his physical talents to major college programs across the nation, Applewhite may have opened some doors for his future coaching career during those hot summer mornings.
"I never anticipated it this way, but attending all those camps allowed me to build relationships with coaches all over the country," Applewhite, an honors student who serves in UT's Student Senate, said. "I have re-established those relationships throughout the past year to the point where I have contacts at a lot of different places."

So where will Applewhite, who lists Paul "Bear" Bryant, Woody Hayes and Joe Paterno among his many coaching inspirations, begin his coaching career once he hangs up the cleats for good?

"College football interests me the most just for the reason that it's college football," Applewhite said. "There's something special about the college game that I love. As time goes on, you never know if you want to move up to the NFL or not, but that's a long way down the road for me. I just have to be patient and wait for the right opportunity."

While there may be coaching opportunities waiting in the wings, Applewhite has other things on his mind for the not-so-distant future. After he wraps up his brilliant UT career this winter, the 1999 Big 12 co-Offensive Player of the Year plans to pursue a career at the next level - a playing career that is.

"I want to play," Applewhite said. "I'm going to the Hula Bowl in January to get myself into position to play in the NFL. I plan to chase that dream, but if it doesn't happen, I'm not going to be the guy that everyone looks at and says 'that Applewhite guy needs to give it up.' I feel very fortunate and blessed to have another option. I'm going to pursue playing football first, and then, I'll start my coaching career when the time comes."