Three weeks after Major Applewhite shifted over from running backs to quarterbacks coach in addition to revamped his revamped coordinator duties, Texas has filled the void in its coaching staff. And, in the process, added a renowned recruiter as well.
Following up on reports that had surfaced Tuesday, the Longhorns officially announced the hiring of Larry Porter as RBs coach. Porter had spent the 2012 season in the same position at Arizona State.
“I’m just really excited to be joining what I think is the best program in the country,” Porter said. “Having the opportunity to work under a man like Coach Brown, who I look at as a legend in college football, is an honor and a privilege. He has done so much for college football and is so well-respected. I’m thrilled to be joining his staff and to be a part of a program that I’ve had such great admiration for.
“The future of Texas football is very bright and being able to work with Coach Brown and so many guys I’ve known and worked with before is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. My family and I are really excited and looking forward to getting started.”
Prior to his time with the Sun Devils, Porter was the head coach at Memphis for two seasons before his dismissal in November of 2011. He was the RBs coach at both Oklahoma State (2002-04) and LSU (2005-09) as well, becoming known as one of the top recruiters in the game at the latter stop.
That aspect of Porter’s résumé was a selling point stressed by head coach Mack Brown in his statement on the hiring.
“He brings a wealth of experience and has a reputation as one of the best coaches and recruiters in our game,” Brown said. “Larry has spent a great deal of time in the Big 12 and SEC and has a strong familiarity with our state and staff. During his time at Oklahoma State and LSU, he did a tremendous job recruiting Dallas and Houston. ... We’re really looking forward to having him in our program.”
Applewhite had been UT’s co-offensive coordinator prior to Bryan Harsin leaving to become the head coach at Arkansas State. While the Longhorns will still go with the co-coordinator approach on that side of the ball, with wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt assuming the Applewhite role, Applewhite has taken over Harsin’s play-calling duties in addition to flipping his positional duties.