Ex-Longhorns QB gets Houston job
Army-Navy set to kick off today
HOUSTON — The University of Houston didn’t end up needing to go far in replacing head coach Tom Herman.
Major Applewhite, 38, who served as Herman’s offensive coordinator the last two seasons, was promoted to the job Friday.
“We had our sights set on a focused competitor who has demonstrated success and possesses a deep connection to college and high school football in the great state of Texas,” Houston athletic director Hunter Yurachek said. “As this process was completed, it was clearly evident the only individual to offer our position to was Major Applewhite.”
Herman recently left Houston to become the coach at Texas after two years with the Cougars and there was speculation Houston might hire Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Instead, Houston went with Applewhite, a Louisiana native who is a former Longhorns quarterback.
Kiffin, meanwhile, and Florida Atlantic have had discussions about its head coaching position, the AP reported Friday.
The Cougars meet San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 17.
ARMY-NAVY: It doesn’t matter that neither Army (6-5) nor Navy (9-3) are in the Top 25, or that the Midshipmen have defeated the Black Knights 14 times in a row. When the two teams meet at 1 p.m. (MT) today
in Baltimore, it’s America’s game, said Black Knights coach Jeff Monken.
“Every young man that’s playing in the game and 9,000 other college-aged students dressed in uniform sitting in the stands have all made a pledge of commitment to serve this nation,” Monken said. “Ultimately, they’ll put their lives on the line for all of us who aren’t willing to make that commitment.” NEVADA: Arizona State assistant Jay Norvell is the new head coach for the Wolf Pack.
GEORGIA STATE: South Carolina assistant Shawn Elliott has been hired to energize a program that hasn’t had a winning season since going 6-5 as a Football Championship Subdivision school in its 2010 debut.
Elliott’s hiring comes with Panthers moving to Turner Field next season, taking over the stadium that was the Atlanta Braves’ home the last 20 years. Georgia State plans to downsize it into a 23,000seat football stadium, providing a much more intimate atmosphere than the 70,000-seat Georgia Dome. SALAAM FUNERAL: About 250 people gathered for a funeral service Friday for 1994 Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam at the Islamic Center of Boulder, Colo., near Folsom Field, where he carved his name into the University of Colorado record book from 1992 to 1994.
He was found dead Monday night in a park not far from the school at the age of 42. His mother, Khalada, told USA TODAY Sports that police said they suspect he killed himself.