Major Applewhite Named Head Coach at Houston

A day after it appeared Lane Kiffin would be headed to Houston, the Cougars changed directions and elevated offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to head coach.

The news broke Friday morning that the former Texas quarterback would get his first opportunity as a head coach. Houston athletic director Hunter Yurachek made it official on Twitter.

Applewhite was Saban's first offensive coordinator at Alabama before returning to his alma mater to take over running backs and eventually becoming co-offensive coordinator for Mack Brown. Applewhite wasn't retained when Charlie Strong took the program over, but he landed in Houston as the offensive coordinator for Tom Herman.

The news was a bit of a surprise considering USA Today reported that Kiffin was in line to become the head coach pending final approval. There are other opportunities still available that Kiffin's name has been associated with so his future remains uncertain as Alabama prepares for the College Football Playoff.