Texas co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite has revealed to the university that he had an inappropriate relationship in the past with a student at the school.
Applewhite released a statement on Friday night regarding the situation and said that it was a "one-time" action that occurred during the 2009 trip to the Fiesta Bowl BCS game.
"Several years ago, I made a regretful decision resulting in behavior that was totally inappropriate," the statement read. "It was a one-time occurrence and was a personal matter. Shortly after it occurred, I discussed the situation with [athletic director] DeLoss Dodds. I was up front and took full responsibility for my actions. This is and was resolved four years ago with the university."
Applewhite has been a coach at the school on and off for seven years and previously was the quarterback for the football team. He served as quarterbacks coach at Syracuse University in 2005 and was quarterback for the Texas Longhorns from 1998 to 2001, winning Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Year.
According to ESPN.com, Applewhite is the second coach in the Texas athletic department in the past month to admit a past inappropriate relationship. Bev Kearney was placed on administrative leave and then resigned this January after admitting she had an intimate consensual relationship with a student.
The school froze Applewhite's salary after hearing about the incident, dating back to Feb. 5, 2009 and lasting until Jan. 1, 2010. The school also said that Applewhite was forced to schedule a session with a "licensed professional counselor to determine if subsequent counseling is in order," according to a letter sent from Dodds to Applewhite on Feb. 5, 2009.
Dodds also released a statement Friday night:
"Major Applewhite engaged in inappropriate, consensual behavior with an adult student one time during the 2009 Fiesta Bowl activities. After learning of his behavior later that month, I took immediate action to review the situation. We promptly initiated an inquiry with assistance from the university's legal affairs office and other units outside of athletics. Major admitted his inappropriate conduct and he was disciplined. In determining appropriate discipline, we analyze the facts and circumstances surrounding the behavior and its relation to job responsibilities. Major fully accepted his discipline, including counseling. We have high standards for behavior and expect our staff and coaches to adhere to them in all aspects of their lives. I believe that the appropriate discipline was taken in this case."
The letter was also placed in Applewhite's personnel file.
"Through counsel I have worked with my wife and the incident is behind us. I am regretful for my mistake and humbled by this experience," Applewhite said in his statement. "I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment it has caused my friends, family, and the University. I appreciate all of them. I've learned and grown from this and look forward to my work at Texas."
According to ESPN.com: In 2001, Texas implemented a rule that mandated system employees, faculty or anyone in a supervisory position report any consensual relationship with a student.
"In the event that a consensual relationship exists or begins to develop, the individual in the supervisory, teaching or advisory position shall immediately notify his or her immediate supervisor of the relationship and cooperate with that supervisor in making the arrangements necessary to resolve the conflict of interest," reads Texas' handbook of operating procedures.
Texas has called a special meeting of the board of regents on Sunday and will discuss all the personnel issues, including the rules that have been broken as well as Applewhite's status with the university.
