How the 2022-23 coaching carousel has affected the Texas Longhorns
For most of the past decade, it’s felt like the Texas Longhorns have been a consistent player on the yearly coaching carousel. Between three separate and eventful head coaching searches, a number of assistant coaching resets, and various arrivals and departures, the Longhorns have been in the market for new additions to the football staff on a regular basis
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That has somewhat changed under head coach Steve Sarkisian. There’s been turnover, no doubt, but it hasn’t been the result of sweeping changes on entire sides of the ball. After the 2021 season, the assistant coaching staff was cleared of any holdovers from the Tom Herman era when Tashard Choice filled the vacancy left by Stan Drayton and Brennan Marion replaced Andre Coleman.
Plus, Texas added former TCU head coach Gary Patterson as a “special assistant to the head coach” following the end of his show in Fort Worth.
The 2022-23 carousel was relatively quiet for Texas, but Sarkisian did have to make two important hires. The first was to replace Marion, the other was to fill a key position related to recruiting.
Gone: Director of high school relations Chris Gilbert
Longtime Dallas area head coach Chris Gilbert was often described by recruits as one of the coaches who were involved in their recruitment. Gilbert’s connections to the Metroplex are deep. He graduated from South Oak Cliff and eventually became head coach of the Golden Bears. He spent one year at Terrell before leading Lancaster for several seasons, including reaching the state championship game during his tenure.
Gilbert left Texas to join North Texas head coach Eric Morris’ staff as associate head coach/tight ends coach.
Replaced by: Austin LBJ head coach Jahmal Fenner Sr.
Fenner Sr., who led the LBJ Jaguars to the UIL 4A Div. II state championship game in 2021, was officially hired by Texas on Monday after Inside Texas reported he would be Sarkisian’s choice to replace Gilbert.
“We’re really excited that Jahmal is joining our staff,” Sarkisian said in a statement. “He’s a guy who brings a lot to the table, is well known and respected throughout the Texas High School Coaches Association, has deep roots in Austin, and is so well connected in our community, as well as across the state. What he did in taking LBJ Football to historic heights through the most challenging of times was impressive, but seeing and hearing about the impact he had on his players and how he did it as a mentor, teacher and coach was something that really stood out.”
“He’s a relationship guy, which is really important to us. And he’s done great things as a player, himself, and has taken that passion to coaching. I know he’ll be a great asset for us, everyone in the THSCA, and high schools everywhere as our Director of High School Relations. Jahmal’s definitely a guy we wanted to get on board, and he’s going to be such an awesome addition to our staff. We’re extremely grateful to have him with us.”
Fenner Sr. is a UTEP graduate, and even played for current UT assistant coach Jeff Banks.
Gone: Wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Brennan Marion
Marion arrived at Texas ahead of the 2022 season with an excellent reputation for scheme and development. His signature “Go-Go” offense helped create one of the biggest upsets ever according to Las Vegas, and his coaching ability helped Jordan Addison win the 2021 Biletnikoff with the ACC champion Pittsburgh Panthers.
After the 2022 season, Marion interviewed for several positions including at Tulsa, his alma mater. He eventually joined Barry Odom’s staff at UNLV to be offensive coordinator, filling the position left vacant by Bobby Petrino when he rode out of Vegas for College Station.
Replaced by: Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers coach Chris Jackson
Texas announced the hire of Jackson on Tuesday after previous Inside Texas reporting indicated he would be Sarkisian’s choice.
Jackson has several years of NFL coaching experience, including his recent tutelage of former Texas A&M standout Christian Kirk.
“We’re fired up that Chris Jackson is a Longhorn,” Sarkisian said. “He’s such a talented coach with a ton of football and life experience that we’ll benefit from having on our staff. Chris is a passionate and attention-to-detail guy who took a unique path to coaching, but is as good as they get when it comes to developing and preparing receivers. He’s a very well-respected coach with great work ethic who is a student of the game, and he’s a proven leader who not only helps his players improve on the field, but also builds strong relationships with them, too.”
“During his time in the NFL, he’s worked with some exceptional coaches who have all quickly recognized his talent in the profession. Not only has he coached players at the highest level the past five years in the NFL, he knows the position well having been an NFL veteran, All-Pac-10 and 1,000-yard receiver himself. He played at Washington State with Jeff Banks, so he’s a guy we’re very familiar with and know he’ll be a tremendous addition to our staff. We’re excited to get him started.”
Gone: Offensive analyst Ray Pickering
Texas added Pickering to its analyst corps last year after a successful run as offensive coordinator at Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. Pickering, who has earned a fair share of accolades including being named a “Rising Support Staffer You Need to Know” by On3, left Texas to be the offensive coordinator at FCS program Norfolk State in Virginia.
Gone: Recruiting operations coordinator Tyler Johnson
Johnson, who played a key role with Brandon Harris and Taylor Searels in the Longhorns’ recruiting department, returned to her alma mater of Jacksonville State to be the Gamecocks’ director of on-campus recruiting under head coach Rich Rodriguez.
Jacksonville State is entering its first season as a FBS program this season.
There are currently three active postings on the University of Texas job board: one for analyst, one for recruiting operations coordinator, and one for special assistant to the head coach.
