Duane Akina has spent a significant portion of his coaching career in two places: Tucson and Austin, Texas.
The Arizona defensive backs coach, after coaching at the UA the last two seasons, is returning to Austin to join Steve Sarkisian’s staff at Texas as a defensive backs coach, replacing Terry Joseph. Akina’s hiring was first reported by 247Sports.com on Monday.
Akina had one more season on his contract at Arizona and was set to receive $810,000 in 2025. His coaching buyout at Arizona is $200,000.
The 68-year-old Akina reunites with former Arizona defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen, who is the Longhornsβ linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator. Texas is coming off a season with an SEC championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
In 2023, Akina assisted Nansen in leading an Arizona defense that rose from 124th nationally in total defense to No. 48. Akina introduced the double-eagle flex defense against run-heavy teams, which was deployed during Arizonaβs 38-point win at Washington State in β23, kickstarting Arizonaβs nine-game winning streak that carried into β24.
Arizona defensive coordinator Duane Akina answers questions during a preseason media luncheon in Tucson on July 30, 2024.
Akina was initially hired by Arizona as a senior analyst in β23, but was elevated to an on-field coaching role with the Wildcatsβ defensive secondary.
Under Akinaβs direction, defensive backs Tacario Davis, Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, Gunner Maldonado, Ephesians Prysock and Genesis Smith, among others, improved. In 2023, Davis led the Pac-12 in pass breakups (15), Johnson was second in the conference in forced fumbles (3), and Maldonado was second in the league in fumble recoveries (3); his 87-yard return for a touchdown propelled Arizona to beat Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
Akina has also held roles as a defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at the UA during the celebrated βDesert Swarmβ era under Dick Tomey from 1987-2000. Arizona head coach Brent Brennan was a graduate assistant at Arizona for one season in 2000. After Tomeyβs firing in 2000, Akina was promoted from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator under new head coach John Mackovic, but left for Texas shortly after.
Akina briefly coached Arizonaβs defensive backs in 2011 under Mike Stoops, but returned to Texas to coach defensive backs after Jerry Gray became the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator. Akina mentored three Jim Thorpe Award winners between his time at Arizona and Texas: Darryll Lewis (Arizona), Michael Huff (Texas) and Aaron Ross (Texas). Under head coach Mack Brown at Texas, Akina coached the Longhorns from 2001-13 and helped UT win a national championship at the Rose Bowl against USC in 2006.
Former UA assistant Duane Akina, right, embraces former Texas coach Mack Brown in a game on Oct. 16, 2010.
Prior to his second stint at Arizona, Akina coached defensive backs at Stanford under David Shaw from 2014-22.
After his first season at Arizona in 2023, Akina became a senior defensive analyst at Texas but returned as the Wildcatsβ defensive coordinator under Brennan. Arizonaβs defense endured several injuries and finished 13th in the Big 12 in total defense under Akina. Following the 2024 season, Akina moved back to coaching Arizonaβs defensive secondary and was replaced by linebackers coach Danny Gonzales as the Wildcatsβ defensive play-caller.
Although Akinaβs 40-plus years of experience and prowess as a defensive backs coach is removed, the Wildcats have cornerbacks coach Chip Viney and nickel backs coach Brett Arce. Former UA safeties coach Chuck Cecil is also on the staff as a senior defensive specialist.
Akina is the latest coaching change for the Wildcats this offseason. Arizona didnβt retain offensive coordinator Dino Babers and hired former Marshall play-caller Seth Doege, who added tight ends coach Josh Miller to replace Matt Adkins. The Wildcats moved Gonzales from special teams coordinator to defensive coordinator and dismissed defensive line coach Joe Seumalo, who was replaced by renowned defensive line coach and ex-Wildcat Joe Salaveβa.
Arizona begins spring practices on March 18 and will host its annual spring showcase at Arizona Stadium on April 19.
Extra points
β Former Arizona wide receiver and likely first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan is projected by ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. to land at No. 22 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers. McMillan was previously sixth overall in Kiperβs first mock draft. Kiper said, βteams might prioritize other positions on Day 1, pushing guys such as McMillan down the board a little bit.β Wrote Kiper: βHe reminds me of Drake London, coming down with 50-50 balls with ease. His 1,319 receiving yards ranked third in the country this past season. And with that kind of production, heβd be a dependable outlet for quarterback Justin Herbert.β McMillan, kicker Tyler Loop and offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea will participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, which starts Thursday in Indianapolis.
β Arizona added former NFL head coach and Arizona State assistant Marvin Lewis as a guest speaker at the UA coaches clinic on March 28-29. Lewis was a head coach for the Cincinnati Bengals for 16 seasons and was an assistant under Herm Edwards at ASU along with ex-Wildcat Antonio Pierce, who is also a guest speaker for the Arizona coaches clinic. Lewis was an assistant head coach under Pierce with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 and β25.
