Bobby Burton

It's a big surprise that Chris Gilbert is returning to Austin. But it's with little surprise that his title will be Special Assistant to the Head Coach. It's a key role that signals Gilbert will be leaned on for not only his recruiting acumen and connections state-wide but also his understanding of how the big picture works for Steve Sarkisian and Texas football, i.e. how the sausage gets made. The title is a credit to Gilbert and all of what he brings to the table. Before leaving for North Texas a year ago, Gilbert had held the role of Director of High School Relations for Texas. Yet during his time in Austin, he wasn't just responsible for outreach to high school coaches for the Longhorns. Gilbert was heavily involved in the recruiting department, making sure the Horns knew the ins and outs of every recruitment in South Dallas and other areas of the state. While working hand in hand with new general manager Brandon Harris and former head of player personnel Billy Glasscock, he also created friendships everywhere in the athletic department. Gilbert was liked and respected by players and coaches alike. To put it frankly, his reach exceeded his grasp in short order. Fast forward to today and I think there's a special opportunity for Gilbert in Austin. After losing Glasscock to Ole Miss a month ago, Sarkisian's move to pursue and hire Gilbert makes a lot of sense. In Gilbert, Sark gets someone with loads of institutional knowledge. That knowledge allows Gilbert to hit the ground running at a time when recruiting is set to take center stage. It also gives the Horns needed another experienced person in an off-field support role for Sarkisian and the program following Glasscock's departure. And all of this matters because... The Horns can not let anything derail this window of opportunity. Hiring someone like Gilbert helps do exactly that. A great football program is never built by any one person. It's built by a collection of people who know what they're doing, who know how to get things done, and can do them well. Chris Gilbert is one of those people. View full news

Coaches like that typically only coach like that and say things like that IF/WHEN they think they have something special on the court/bench. He clearly thinks he has a chance to make a real run in the tourney.

I like where this is trending.

I like this list. I go heavy on "great players must be great players" for a team to maximize. But some others have to improve and show out to make the team the best it can be.

Patterson didn't touch recruiting or interface with recruits. That is Gilbert's biggest strength IMO. He will be involved in recruiting.

Recruiting.

Chris Gilbert, former Lancaster High School head coach and director of high school relations at Texas, is returning to Austin in the role of Special Assistant to the Head Coach. Gilbert spent last season as tight ends coach at North Texas. View full news

Apparently not.

I don't understand why they wouldn't just make it 16 if they're going to 14.

Could not agree more.

Here’s a link. https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/prospects/all-positions/all-colleges/all-statuses/2024

Same. I think his speed is underrated in that grade. If Mecole Hardman can catch a game-winning TD in the Super Bowl, then so can Xavier Worthy. Worthy has similar speed and is a better receiver long-term.

Sad stuff all the way around IMO.

Not sure if any. Perhaps some guys in South Dallas in particular.

He doesn’t have the size.

- Red zone. - Taking more advantage of the weakness of an opponent.

Rod really likes Muhammad’s sense for the ball.

Very interesting. Can not confirm at this time.

Would be an interesting and welcomed return for the Longhorns — Chris Gilbert. https://footballscoop.com/news/sources-texas-hiring-fbs-assistant-former-dallas-area-prep-coach-as-assistant-g-m View full news

Love Crown and Anchor!