Major Applewhite
Hot seat: 17% chance he is fired before the season ends
Why: 4-5; 4-8 last season
Coaching since 2016
Major Applewhite is 15-19 at South Alabama since 2024 and 30-30 in his career. Hot seat: 17% chance he is fired before the season ends.
Updated Nov 9, 2026Sources: school staff directories, TransferPortl coaching tenures, CFBD
2026 season4-5Conf 2-3
At South Alabama15-19Conf 10-11 · since 2024
Last 3 seasons15-19Conf 10-11
Career30-30Conf 25-20 · 6 seasons
Source: ESPN standings; Hot seat tracker through 2025, ESPN standings for 2026; Hot seat tracker
South Alabama won 41.2% of its games before he arrived (40.5% in conference). His career win rate is +8.8 pts against that (+15.0 pts in conference).
Bio
- Hired
- Jan 18, 2024
- Alma mater
- Texas
- Calls plays
- No
- Background
- Offense
- First-time head coach
- No
- Agent
- Clint Dowdle
- Agency
- WME Sports
Head Coaching Seasons
5 seasons| Year | School | W-L | Conf | SRS | SP+ | SP+ Off | SP+ Def | AP Final | Titles and Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |  South Alabama | 4-8 | Sun Belt | -12.8 | -12.7 | 25.4 | 36.0 | - | - |
| 2024 | South Alabama | 7-6 | Sun Belt | -1.7 | 2.8 | 29.9 | 26.9 | - | W 30-23 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl vs Western Michigan |
| 2018 |  Houston | 8-5 | American Athletic | -1.1 | 2.3 | 36.7 | 34.9 | - | L 14-70 LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL vs Army |
| 2017 | Houston | 7-5 | American Athletic | 2.7 | 7.7 | 32.3 | 25.8 | - | L 27-33 HAWAI'I BOWL vs Fresno State |
| 2016 | Houston | 0-1 | American Athletic | 5.4 | 10.1 | 30.8 | 21.7 | - | L 10-34 LAS VEGAS BOWL PRESENTED BY GEICO vs San Diego State |
South Alabama Staff, 2026
15- Major ApplewhiteHead Coach
- Jason WashingtonAssistant Coach -- Co-Defensive Coordinator / Cornerbacks
- Todd OrlandoAssistant Coach -- Defensive Coordinator / Inside Linebackers
- Tommy PerryAssistant Coach -- Special Teams Coordinator
- Chris AchuffAssistant Coach -- Defensive Line
- Bryant RossAssistant Coach -- Offensive Line
- Tre' WilliamsAssistant Coach -- Outside Linebackers
- Tim RattayAssistant Coach -- Passing Game Coordinator / Receivers
- Zach CrislerAssistant Coach -- Quarterbacks
- Broderick FobbsAssistant Coach -- Running Backs
- Tyson KeeAssistant Coach -- Safeties
- Adam MannAssistant Coach -- Tight Ends
- Justin LoweAssistant Director of Strength & Conditioning/Football
- Trase LetexierAssistant Director of Strength & Conditioning/Football
- Rod GraceDirector of Football Strength & Conditioning
Transfer Portal at South Alabama
Roster average Transfer Vulnerability Score (TVS): 17
| Cycle | In | Out | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 31 | -11 |
| 2025 | 22 | 18 | +4 |
| 2024 | 12 | 6 | +6 |
Staff History by Season
2 stints- 2024-2026South AlabamaHead Coach
- 2022South AlabamaAssistant Coach / Offensive Coordinator
Coaching Tenure Timeline
2 stopsHead Coaches He Worked Under
1- Kane WommackSouth Alabama, 2022