Lancaster coach Chris Gilbert is leaving the program after 10 seasons to join Steve Sarkisian’s staff in an off field role, sources confirm to Texas Football. 247Sports’ Mike Roach first reported the news.

Gilbert is expected to assume the role of Director of High School Relations on Sarkisian’s staff. once paperwork has been signed.

Gilbert, a native of Dallas, led what most considered a basketball and track school in Lancaster to new heights in nine seasons at the helm. He led Lancaster to a state title game appearance in 2012 and regional final appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2019. Lancaster only had one third round appearance before he took the reins in 2012. 

Prior to Lancaster, Gilbert served as head coach at his alma mater South Oak Cliff and Terrell. He has a career record of 121-58. He previously worked as an assistant at Greenville and Bryan. 

More importantly, Gilbert ranks among the most respected high school coaches in the state of Texas. Gilbert is one of 27 members of the Texas High School Coaches Association Board of Directors and immediately gives the new Texas staff credibility in DFW’s I-20 corridor, one of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the nation. 

Sarkisian is not the first Texas college coach who immediately made hires to ingratiate themselves with Texas high school coaches. When Matt Rhule took the job at Baylor, he quickly hired former Cedar Hill coach Joey McGuire as an assistant and added former San Antonio Reagan coach David Wetzel and Round Rock Cedar Ridge coach Shawn Bell in off-field roles. The Bears quickly found their stride and went from 1-11 to the Big 12 championship game in two seasons. 

Additionally, UTSA hired former Gilmer coach Jeff Traylor largely thanks to his infinite Rolodex and ability to find and develop elite Texas high school talent. The Roadrunners locked down the best class in Conference USA – and the best in program history – on Tuesday. 

Diminished recruiting played a significant role in Tom Herman’s exit at Texas. After top-three national classes in 2018 and 2019, the Longhorns fell to No. 17 in 2021. The state’s flagship program only signed one of the top 25 players in the state of Texas, which matched Kansas, SMU and Cal. 

Sarkisian has quickly invested, bringing multiple assistants that helped Alabama bring in the best recruiting class in the modern recruiting era.The Longhorns have gotten off to a quick start in the class of 2022. Since arriving, Sarkisian has earned a pair of commitments from top 25 players in Texas: Klein Cain RB Jaydon Blue and Lewisville WR Armani Winfield.