Applewhite takes over play calling

SAN ANTONIO (KXAN) -- - As preparations wind down for Texas' second appearance in the Alamo Bowl, more questions are rising over how Major Applewhite will do as the Longhorns' play caller.

"That's the only difference in my job responsibility, is just calling plays," Applewhite said. "I've always felt like, even as a player, this game's about the players. Put it in the best guys' hands and let them make plays. And I think some times we over think it a little bit as coaches. So, I'm excited to watch these guys go play."

David Ash, who will start at quarter back Saturday after missing the Kansas State game, looks forward to Applewhite's simple approach to play calling.

"There's a lot of coaches out there these days that think if it looks complicated, it kind of puts 'em on a pedestal," Ash said. "Coach Appelwhite doesn't care about any of that. He's just about getting 11 guys out on the field, go throw the ball around and have some fun."

One of Ash's main focuses will be to avoid pressing too much after he threw two interceptions in Texas' Thanksgiving Day loss to TCU.

"Preparation usually lends to great play, and great play builds your confidence," Ash said. "Whenever you can get that cycle going, you stop pressing."

"He's done some great things for our football team, and made some great plays in clutch situations, so the last thing I wanna do is scratch the hard drive and change a lot of things that have really been engrained in him over the last two years," Applewhite said. "He's done a great job."

Even though Applewhite is leaving his role as the running backs coach to work with the quarter backs, San Antonio native Malcolm Brown isn't worried.

"[He] still has a little love for us, I hope," Brown said with a laugh. "We have tremendous respect for coach Applewhite. We know that he knows what he's doing. Whatever plays he calls, we just go out there and try to execute."