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Texas Football: 10 Longhorns Who Will Turn Program Around in 2016

By Tyler Brett

Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; A Texas Longhorns helmet rests on the bench at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; A Texas Longhorns helmet rests on the bench at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Sterlin Gilbert, OC

While not a player, Sterlin Gilbert is still going to have a huge role to play in Texas’ success in 2016. The Horns new offensive coordinator takes on the monumental job of turning around one of the least explosive offenses in the Big 12.

The team has certainly gotten better from a talent standpoint since Strong took over, but the Horns have struggled to turn that talent into a consistent big-play offense. This offseason, Texas set its sights on Gilbert, formerly at Tulsa, and went to great lengths to get him to Austin. Now, he has to install his up-tempo, wide-open offensive attack and get this Texas offense rolling.

Gilbert has a solid pedigree, learning offense under Art Briles before venturing out to build his resume in FCS and at Tulsa. Now, he brings his offensive philosophy to the Forty Acres looking to get the Longhorns up to speed with the rest of the offensively gifted Big 12. His approach centers on getting his best athletes in positions to succeed and hinges on finding a trigger-man at quarterback who can distribute the football.

How far Texas goes in 2016, and how safe Charlie Strong’s job is heading into 2017, will ultimately boil down to how much the offense has improved this offseason. That improvement hinges on the success of Gilbert as the offensive coordinator. He has an opportunity to make a serious splash with his work in Austin and return the Longhorns to their winning ways.

Next: 9. Poona Ford, DT

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