Sep 15, 2018; Austin, TX, USA; General overall view of the Texas Longhorns logo at midfield at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Longhorns complete changes to coaching staff
Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian has finalized changes to his coaching staff.
Chris Jackson will replace Brennan Marion as wide receivers coach as well as serving as the passing game coordinator, while Jahmal Fenner will assume the role of Director of High School Relations.
Jackson, an NFL veteran and standout receiver at Washington State comes to Austin after serving as wide receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. In his time with the Jaguars, Jackson helped orchestrate a dramatic turnaround and a playoff appearance. He has also spent four years in the NFL in various roles with the Chicago Bears.
“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. 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.”
Fenner, the former head football coach and athletic director at Austin LBJ High School, steps into the role vacated when Chris Gilbert departed for an on-field role at North Texas. In his time at the helm, LBJ posted a 49-13 record and won three consecutive district championships.
Sarkisian said that Fenner would be an asset to the program because of his connections among other high school coaches and because of his reputation around Austin. “We’re really excited that Jahmal is joining our staff,” Sarkisian said. “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.”
