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Tom Herman responds to joke from UH replacement Major Applewhite

By James Caldwell

Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman on the field during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Tom Herman on the field during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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There is a unique relationship between the head football coaches at the University of Texas and University of Houston.

Major Applewhite, who is still held in high regard by Longhorns fans after his legendary career at Texas, is now the head football coach for Houston.

Meanwhile, Tom Herman is the new coach for Texas after leaving Houston after two years.

During his two years at Houston, Herman formed a close bond with Applewhite, who was offensive coordinator and helped lead the Cougars to major successes. Naturally, there is room for playful joking with each other.

Major Applewhite got it started during a speech at the Touchdown Club of Houston on Wednesday. Applewhite was the keynote speaker at the highlight event of the college football offseason.

During his speech, Applewhite rhetorically asked what will be different about Houston this season. “We’re not going to be nearly as athletic at quarterback,” Applewhite said, referring to Cougars QB Greg Ward graduating. “But we will be a hell of a lot more athletic at head coach.”

After the gathered crowd laughed and applauded at the playful joke at the expense of the former Houston head man, Applewhite said he was kidding and he teases Tom because he loves him.

Of course, Tom Herman offered his own reply to the video, which was posted by Fox Houston TV reporter Mark Berman.

Texas and Houston Paying Close Attention in 2017

All kidding aside, Tom Herman and Major Applewhite will be keeping close tabs on each other in 2017. So will the respective fanbases.

Longhorns fans want to see Texas Football turn around after seven years of subpar football at the end of Mack Brown’s run and during Charlie Strong’s three years in Austin. They also want to see how a great Texas QB like Major Applewhite fares in his first year as head coach.

Meanwhile, Cougars fans are backing a former Texas QB, Applewhite, and have a curious interest in seeing how Herman fares in Austin.

Well, curious is a nice way of putting it. Herman upset Houston fans when he left after two years. And, it’s frustrating being on the outside of the Power 5 conferences and being a “stepping stone” coaching position.

  • 2008 Season: Art Briles left Houston for Baylor
  • 2012 Season: Kevin Sumlin left Houston for Texas A&M
  • 2017 Season: Tom Herman left Houston for Texas

It’s unlikely that Texas and Houston will play each other anytime soon during the regular season, like during the Southwest Conference era when they had one of the best rivalries in college football.

But, if both teams grow into elite programs under Tom Herman and Major Applewhite, perhaps they will meet in a major bowl game in the future.

Next: What Is National Perception of Texas Right Now?

Then, we’ll see Herman and Applewhite sharing the same stage exchanging jokes. This time, in person.

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