Major Applewhite has been fired as head football coach at Houston, the university announced on Sunday.
"We'd like to thank Coach Applewhite and his family for their commitment to the success of the Houston Football program over the last four seasons including the last two as our head coach," said vice president for athletics Chris Pezman. "After a thorough evaluation of our Football program, it is my assessment our future opportunities for success are better addressed by making this very difficult decision now.
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Football Scoop on Saturday first reported the Cougars were leaning toward firing Applewhite after Houston's 70-14 loss to Army in the Armed Forces Bowl. West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen is reportedly Houston's top target to replace Applewhite.
SB Nation and Brett McMurphy later reported similar stories:
Houston plans on firing Major Applewhite, @38Godfrey reports. Source told @WatchStadium, the whole situation "is still being evaluated." If Applewhite is fired, WVU’s Dana Holgorsen could be top target, @38Godfrey reports
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 29, 2018
Applewhite, who was promoted to head coach in December 2016 after Tom Herman left for Texas, is 15-11 in just over two seasons at Houston. He has been on staff with the Cougars since 2015 when he was brought on by Herman to be offensive coordinator.
As for a replacement for Applewhite, Holgorsen previously served as offensive coordinator at Houston from 2008-09 and has compiled a 61-41 record at West Virginia since his arrival in 2011.