Western Kentucky announced the hiring of Bryan Applewhite as the team’s running backs coach on Friday.

Applewhite brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the Hilltoppers, including stops at several FBS programs.

He spent the 2023 season as the running backs coach at Buffalo, where he coached Third Team All-MAC selection Ron Cook Jr. Applewhite spent one season as the running backs coach at Nebraska in 2022, and during that season he coached Anthony Grant, who rushed for 915 yards – the highest total by a Husker since 2018.

He spent the two seasons before that at TCU as the running backs coach and helped the Horned Frogs rank in the top 30 nationally in rushing both seasons. TCU was the Big 12 rushing champion in 2020, averaging 214.7 rushing yards per game to rank 20th nationally. The Horned Frogs then finished 30th in the country in 2021 at 196.3 rushing yards per game. In 2020, TCU had three running backs top 100 yards in a single game, with true freshmen Zach Evans (7.7 ypc) and Kendre Miller (7.2 ypc), posting the second- and fifth-best yards per carry averages in Horned Frogs history, respectively.

Applewhite spent five seasons as the running backs coach at Colorado State from 2015 to 2019. He also took on the added responsibility as the Rams’ recruiting coordinator in 2018 and 2019. In his time at CSU, the Rams posted two of their top five season marks in total offense and points per game. Colorado State reached three bowl games in five seasons while Applewhite was on staff. Applewhite’s Colorado State running backs posted 24 individual 100-yard rushing games. Ram running backs Izzy Matthews and Dalyn Dawkins each finished in the top eight on the CSU career rushing list under Applewhite’s guidance.

Applewhite coached for five years at Louisiana-Monroe from 2010 to 2014, working with the running backs and coordinating the Warhawks’ recruiting efforts. He coached two all-conference running backs while at ULM. In 2012, his running backs combined for 19 total touchdowns as the Warhawks finished with eight wins and played in the Independence Bowl, the school’s first bowl games since joining the FBS in 1994.

He spent one season at FCS Montana State in 2009. In his lone season, Applewhite coached a running back tandem that combined for more than 1,100 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Applewhite was at Wyoming for six seasons as running backs coach from 2003 to 2008. While at Wyoming, Applewhite tutored two of Wyoming’s four all-time leading rushers in Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon.

He spent four seasons from 1999 to 2002 coaching at his alma mater, Northern Colorado. He first served as a graduate assistant in 1999 and was elevated to a full-time assistant coach in 2000. The Bears played in the Division II playoffs in both 1999 and 2002 while Applewhite was on the coaching staff.

Applewhite was a standout fullback at Northern Colorado from 1994 to 1998. He played on teams that won two NCAA Division II national championships (1996 and 1997), competed in the Division II playoffs four straight seasons (1995-98) and won North Central Conference crowns during his junior and senior seasons.

He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Northern Colorado in 1998 and his master’s degree in 2001.

Applewhite has served as a member of the American Football Coaches’ Association (AFCA) Minority Advancement Committee. In 2007, he was named to the AFCA Assistant Coaches’ Committee and participated in the 2004 AFCA Coaches’ Academy.