Major Applewhite has been Houston's head coach for a matter of hours and the honeymoon period is already over.
Houston board chairman Tilman Fertitta explained Friday the Cougars wanted a coach who would remain in Space City for a number of years, but that he better win "nine, 10, 11 games a year, too, from our standpoint. We did get rid of a coach that won eight games three years ago. Don't ever forget that. We expect to win at the University of Houston."
Houston BOR chairman @TilmanJFertitta: 'You can look forward to Major being here for many years." Adds, "But he better win 9 10 11 games." pic.twitter.com/FiRUNbKuta
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) December 9, 2016
"Congrats on the job, Major! Now, don't forget, you better not leave and if you win less than nine games we'll fire you."
This is the type of quote -- the quantified standard setting -- that tends to follow a program around for a few years. Specifically if Applewhite puts together a couple of dreaded 8-win seasons.