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Bryan Harsin Leaves Texas, Major Applewhite Promoted

Updated: Thursday, December 13 2012, 03:41 PM CST
Texas co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin has been hired as the new head football coach at Arkansas State. Harsin spent two seasons in Austin, coming over from Boise State following the 2010 season.

"Brian has done a tremendous job for us, and we appreciate all the
energy he's poured into our program the past two seasons," said Texas head football coach Mack Brown. "He's a bright
young coach with great enthusiasm and passion for the kids and the game.
He'll do a tremendous job at Arkansas State."

"When
Coach Harsin came to the University of Texas, he brought a lot of
energy and creativity to our offense," former Texas tight end Blaine Irby told KEYE TV sports. "His leadership presence was
apparent when he first met with our team. His philosophy focused around hard
work and competition every day we stepped out on the football field,
which would ultimately bring success to our team. Coach Harsin will excel at the
next level in his coaching career, and wish him the best."

Harsin's move started a domino effect on the Longhorns coaching staff.

Brown said Major Applewhite will continue as co-offensive coordinator, but will immediately assume the role of play caller and quarterbacks coach. Wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt will be promoted to co-offensive coordinator, while offensive line coach Stacy Searels will be elevated to assistant head coach for the offense. Tight ends coach Bruce Chambers, who shared the recruiting responsibilities with Wyatt, will now be the primary staffer handling the recruiting coordinator duties. The Longhorns will be seeking to hire an assistant coach to handle Applewhite's previous role as running backs coach.

"I
am very pleased that Major has the opportunity to be offensive
coordinator at UT," said Irby, who played for Applewhite from 2008-2011. "The two things that come to mind concerning Coach
Applewhite's
coaching style are 1) his knowledge for the game and 2) his ability to
communicate with players. The trust and confidence
the players have in Major will allow our team
to fully commit to his coaching philosophy."Bryan Harsin Leaves Texas, Major Applewhite Promoted