Report: Texas' Chris Gilbert 'expected' to become assistant head coach/tight ends coach at North Texas

According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Texas Director of High School Relations Chris Gilbert will be leaving Austin to take an on-the-field coaching position. He will be heading back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to work as the assistant head coach/tight ends coach at North Texas.

A former Texas High School Football head coach, Gilbert continues to climb in the coaching rankings.

“SOURCE: Texas Director of HS Relations Chris Gilbert is expected to become the new assistant head coach/tight ends coach at North Texas,” Feldman said. “Gilbert was a long-time high school head coach in DFW prior to taking the position at UT.”

Gilbert was hired by head coach Steve Sarkisian when he took over the program before the 2021 season. He helped Texas improve recruiting around the DFW area during his time with the Longhorns.

Before heading to Austin, Gilbert was the Lancaster head coach but has extensive experience in Dallas. South Oak Cliff and Terrell were also coaching stops for Gilbert where he was able to turn all three into winning programs.

Texas currently has nine commits in the 2023 class from the general North Texas area. Two come from Gilberts’ alma mater, South Oak Cliff, in four-star cornerback Malik Muhammad and EDGE Billy Walton. Denton (TX) Ryan five-star linebacker and recent commit Anthony Hill is the highest ranked of the nine.

Gilbert will now bring his high school relationships and connections with him to Denton with the Mean Green. It’s an outstanding hire for new head coach Eric Morris, who is making his way down to the Lone Star State via Washington State.

Sarkisian will now have an important position on his staff to fill, as Texas wants to continue its in-state recruiting but especially in Dallas-Fort Worth. One of the more important recruiting areas in the country, the Longhorns lose a key piece ahead of National Signing Day.