HOUSTON -- In recent years, Houston has been a stepping stone, a quick stop for up-and-coming coaches on their way to jobs seen as bigger and better. Larry Bird Jersey .Art Briles was at Houston before leaving for Baylor. Kevin Sumlin started with the Cougars before moving on to Texas A&M, and last month Tom Herman left for Texas after just two seasons with the Cougars.On Monday, Houston introduced Major Applewhite as its latest hire and the 38-year-old first-time head coach insisted hes different than those who simply used the job as a springboard.I want to be here long-term, Applewhite said. I want to be here for the guys. I want to be here for the city and for the university ... I think at this point in time in the history of this football program I think it is important to develop continuity.The introduction of Applewhite was less a news conference than it was a pep rally. There were cheerleaders waving white and red pom poms, a band and scores of fans and dignitaries, which included Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and state lawmaker Sheila Jackson Lee. But the pomp and circumstance of the day couldnt hide the fact that the Cougars werent expecting to be introducing another new coach so soon.Seems like we just did this ... the players look a lot happier this time though, board of regents chairman Tilman Fertitta said with a laugh.Applewhite spent the last two seasons as Hermans offensive coordinator and takes over a program that went 22-4 in that time. The Cougars (9-3) wrap up the season on Saturday when they meet San Diego State in the Las Vegas Bowl.Houston got wins over Oklahoma and Louisville this season, but took a step back by losing to SMU, Navy and Memphis, and failing to qualify for the American Athletic Conference title game a year after winning the league championship. Applewhite said he expects better than winning nine games and hell work to get the team back to where it was last season when the Cougars finished 13-1.Nobody in this room will set a higher expectation for this football team than me. That is the facts, he said. Ive always been a winner, I will always be a winner and I will always set those expectations for our football team.He directed his first practice as head coach on Monday morning and though hes waited for the opportunity to be in charge of a program for years, he downplayed the significance of the moment.It really hasnt sunk in, he said. Its very similar to when I was playing and I was in a backup role and then I was put in the game. Its just: Go do your job.Quarterback Greg Ward was chosen to introduce Applewhite to the group and it seemed to catch him a bit off guard.I appreciate that, Applewhite said. That was pretty solid.Ward, who worked closely with Applewhite over the past two seasons, raved about his coach.Regardless of any circumstance, hes going to be honest with you, Ward said. Hes also going to be more competitive than you if you let him and hes going to bring his `A game every single day.Under Applewhites direction, the Cougars gained more than 500 yards 11 times and passed the 600-yard mark four times. The offense piled up 40 points 12 times and scored at least 50 points five other occasions in the past two seasons.Applewhite spent seven seasons as an assistant at Texas before joining Hermans staff. He was the co-offensive coordinator in his last four seasons with the Longhorns after working as assistant head coach for the first three seasons. In his time with the Longhorns he focused on working with quarterbacks and running backs.Before joining the Longhorns, Applewhite spent the 2007 season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama, a season where he was the youngest coordinator in the FBS. It was there that he found his most important mentor among many who have influenced him as a coach.Working a year with Nick Saban. I just think hes in the major leagues and a lot of people are playing farm-A ball, he said. He is ahead of the game. Just his organization, that hand he has in everything, the way he distributes roles and gives everybody a sense of purpose and a sense of motivation when they walk in the office.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Swingman Kelly Olynyk Jersey . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Isaiah Thomas Celtics Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. http://www.officialcelticsproauthentic.com/Authentic-Isaiah-Thomas-Celtics-Jersey/ . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. Each week during the 2016 college football season, I will offer up my selections and scores for the weekends biggest games and a handful of other key matchups.Last week, I got back on track with a solid 6-1 record, both straight-up and against the spread, which brings the straight-up record to 50-27 (65 percent) but the against-the-spread record to just 32-42-2 (43 percent). On the Chalk podcast on Fridays, the record was 2-2 this past week and now stands at 16-15-1.Last year, my selections went 104-33 SU (76 percent) during the regular season and 74-61-2 ATS (55 percent).Here are my seven best bets from the Week 10 college football slate of games:Note: Lines from Westgate SuperBook as off Wednesday morning. Swingman Kevin Mchale Jersey. No. 19 Florida State Seminoles (-5.5) at NC State WolfpackSaturday, 7 PM ET, ESPNUThe Seminoles gave a great effort last week, but they allowed a late touchdown and lost at home to Clemson for their third loss of the season. They had upset losses at this site in both 2010 and 2012, and now take on a team that upset Notre Dame at home and almost beat that same Clemson team on the road. If Florida State was off an upset win, they would be in a play-against spot, but off a loss theyll be focused and the spread is under a touchdown. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '