AUSTIN (AP) -Major Applewhite insists he's the Texas running backs coach, not the quarterbacks coach. It says so right on his job description.
Yet the former record-setting Texas QB is routinely peppered with questions about tutoring Colt McCoy, how he helps him and what advice he offers. It just comes with the territory when you're one of the most beloved Texas players in the last decade.
"Coach (Greg) Davis teaches Colt McCoy," Applewhite said of the Longhorns' offensive coordinator, "and he's a great teacher."
Applewhite set several UT passing records from 1998-2001 and his return to the Longhorns' program was treated with the kind of fanfare usually reserved for head coaches.
But, again, Applewhite says he's the running backs coach and his job is to coax along a running attack still waiting for Vondell McGee, Fozzy Whittaker or Chris Ogbannaya to emerge as the full-time starter.
That hasn't stopped McCoy from taking advantage of the situation whenever he can. McCoy knows that if anybody understands the ups-and-downs of playing quarterback and the complexities of Davis' offense, it's Applewhite, who also played for Davis and head coach Mack Brown.
"I'd be dumb not to use him as a resource," McCoy said as the No. 7 Longhorns (2-0) prepare for Saturday night's game against Rice (2-1). "When you play quarterback at the University of Texas, it's almost like a fraternity."
Applewhite has taught McCoy the value of using his running backs as receivers. When Applewhite was playing, he put up big numbers throwing outlet passes to Ricky Williams and Hodges Mitchell.
"What he's brought to me is the importance of the backs. If nobody's down field, why are you going to force the ball somewhere? Maybe the guy will make a great play, maybe you'll make a great throw, but you've got the back sitting there wide open," McCoy said.
McCoy's numbers after two games - seven touchdowns against one interception - show that Applewhite's advice is working. Ogbannaya and McGee have 80 yards receiving and a touchdown. McCoy had three touchdowns and four interceptions in the first two games last season.
"My job is just when Colt leans on something, he wants to know something - How'd you handle this? How'd you do that? I'll help him in those areas," Applewhite said. "When you're the quarterback at Texas you have a thousand different coaches. I understand that about Colt."
McCoy is within range of several of Applewhite's records. At 6,040 career passing yards, McCoy has almost two full seasons to chase Applewhite's mark of 8,353. Two more TD passes will tie Applewhite's record of 60.
"We give each other a hard time," McCoy said.
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