Just to inform a few on here...Applewhite was considered a candidate for LSU. If Saban thinks his offense is good enough I'm sure he knows more than a few of us know it alls on here(I'm included). He has and will be known as a great offensive mind and he will be regarded, more than likely, in around four years as a top candidate for a QB coach in the NFL, maybe more. Still no way that Satin and those money hungry queers are beating us in the next, at least 2-3 years. F Bama
Applewhite hasn't been given full control of the offense. He's been assigned as the OC, yes. But, the offensive game planning is going to come from 3 different people. The main person is the Asst. Head Coach, Pendry. There will be a good amount of input from Curt Cignetti as well. Applewhite will be calling the plays on game days. But, those plays will be pre-determined before kick-off by the offensive staff. FWIW, he was the OC at Rice. Before that he had a position coaching role at Syracuse.
Dave Rader did have the title of OC, but he wasn't anything more than the QB coach in his time at Bama. The role of OC was actually held by Shula who made the game plan, called the plays, etc.
It has been speculated that may happen. As of today, and it'll remain that way until spring camp begins, there have been no position changes within the team.
I think Applewhite is going to be a great coach one day. Bama never gets players from Texas and I think it was smart of them to bring him in. Good recruiting move and as noted Pendry will be the driving force around the offense.
At what point do titles stop having a meaning because EVERYONE has one? 2 Assistant head coaches, and an associate head coach.....do they even need a head coach? Major Applewhite- OC and QB coach Kevin Steele- DC and ILB Coach Joe Pendry- Assistant Head Coach for Offense and OL Coach Kirby Smart- Assistant Head Coach for Defense and DB Coach Burton Burns- Asssociate Head Coach and Running Backs Curt Cignett- Wide Recievers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Ron Middelton- Tight Ends Coach and Special Teams Coordinator Lance Thompson- Outside Linebackers Coach Bo Davis- Defensive Line Coach
Actually that is one of $aban's best talents, moving players into a position where they can excel. Ex SPears and Webster turning them into defensive players. he rarely turned any defensive players into offensive stars. Johns is a monster and I think he will do well wherever he plays.
Applewhite was definatly a canidate for LSU too, so he can't be all that bad. The success of the rice offense has been contributed to him by the players at rice, who have been quoted as saying such by a few sources while the former HC says it was his offense lol He maybe inexpirienced, but hes obviously skilled, since you know, alot of Vince Youngs early sucess at texas is tied to him (he was his qb coach) And then as OC at Rice they broke their total points record, total yard gained record, and went to their first bowl game in 40 years. He is a real up and commer, bt im sure inexpirience will show.
I found it interesting as well D. When I looked around a few other staffs, I saw a lot of similarities to this type of title/assignment scheme. This came up in conversation some 2.5 weeks ago...I want to say I saw a breakdown a lot like this on the UT staff (real UT) and at FSU. If you break it down it makes sense. Take Smart as example. If you look at Saban's expertise, most will say it rests in the secondary. By that, it is easy to assume he'll be working with Smart quite a bit. Now, the defensive game plans will be a mixture of Saban, Smart (with CNS's input) with Steele calling the assignments. If anything, it is going to create a an atmosphere where the staff must work together in game planning. Pendry over the offense with Applewhite and Cignetti contributing as well. Applewhite calling plays during game day. I suspect we'll see Pendy on the field with Applewhite in the booth.
