We've got a "MAJOR" Addition with the Tide ---------

Former University of Texas quarterback Major Applewhite, Rice's offensive coordinator this past season, is joining Nick Saban's coaching staff at Alabama.
Saban announced the hiring Saturday. While his duties have not yet been determined, he is expected to coach quarterbacks and could share play calling duties with recently hired Joe Pendry, whose resume includes a stint as coordinator for the NFL's Houston Texans.
The 28-year-old Applewhite helped lead the Owls (7-6) to several school offensive records last season, a six-game winning streak and the program's first bowl berth since 1961.
The 2006 Rice offense produced 109 more points than the 2005 unit.
He also served as quarterbacks coach at Syracuse after two seasons as a graduate assistant at Texas, where he was praised for playing a role in the development of All-American quarterback Vince Young.
Applewhite has been on Saban's radar for at least a week, but it was unknown what his position would be in Tuscaloosa. He grew up an Alabama fan in Baton Rouge and was named after former Crimson Tide running back Major Ogilvie.
As a high school senior he was recruited briefly by Alabama but was not offered a scholarship. He went to Texas instead, where he started for most of his four seasons.
Jimbo Fisher, Saban's former play caller at LSU, was offered the position but accepted a post at Florida State instead. The News reported that Miami Dolphins quarterback coach Jason Garrett, a Princeton graduate, turned Alabama down Friday. Saban also was interested in Jeff Brohm, the quarterbacks coach at Louisville under former Cardinals head man Bobby Petrino.
Brohm confirmed Saturday that he would remain at Louisville.
New Cardinals coach Steve Kragthorpe promoted Brohm to assistant head coach in charge of the passing game.
Brohm's younger brother, Brian, is the incumbent quarterback at Louisville.
Jeff Brohm also played quarterback at Louisville, thus the bonds made it hard for him to leave.
"In all reality it basically came down to a simple question I asked myself, and that was, `Do I want to help the University of Alabama win a national championship or do I want to help the University of Louisville win a national championship?'" Brohm told the Louisville Courier-Journal.
"I felt the answer was easy, and I chose Louisville."
Saban's staff so far includes Kevin Steele, Lance Thompson and Kirby Smart on defense and Pendry, Steve Marshall, Todd Alles and Ron Middleton on offense.
Defensive coaches are expected to include Steele, Thompson and Smart, while Marshall, Middleton, Pendry and Applewhite are expected to be assigned offensive duties.
Saban has hired two other staffers, Todd Alles and Bo Davis. They are expected to work off the field. News staff writer Doug Segrest contributed to this story.
As reported by: The Birmingham News

IAN R. RAPOPORT News staff writer