After completing a season at North Texas, Chris Gilbert is heading back to Austin, as announced on Wednesday. He has been appointed as a special assistant to head coach Steve Sarkisian. Prior to 2023, Gilbert spent two seasons with the Longhorns as the director of high school relations. In preparation for the 2023 season, he accepted a role as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach at North Texas. Thanks to his background in high school coaching at South Oak Cliff, Terrell High, and Lancaster, Gilbert played a crucial role in Sarkisian’s efforts to build relationships with local programs, an aspect that the previous coaching staff didn’t emphasize as much.
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Sarkisian has consistently expressed his admiration for Gilbert and the valuable contributions he made to the program, acknowledging him on early signing day in December. Sarkisian highlighted the significance of the director of high school relations position, emphasizing Gilbert’s role in recruiting and establishing connections with high school coaches in Texas.
Returning to the Texas program after their best season since 2009, Gilbert is coming back as they transition to the SEC in 2024. Despite not being part of the staff during this period, Gilbert still deserves recognition for his efforts in laying the foundation for the Longhorns’ current success in recruiting at an elite level.
