Duane Akina to Arizona: Leaves Texas, Returns to Wildcats
by Peter Bean on Jan 16, 2011 8:52 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintMultiple reports are now confirming that Texas Longhorns defensive backs coach Duane Akina is leaving Austin and heading west, to the same position on Mike Stoops staff at the University of Arizona, the school where Akina was once defensive coordinator. Akina has been coaching defensive backs at Texas since 2000 after serving as defensive coordinator with Dick Tomey at Arizona.
Akina's departure opens up yet another spot on a Texas coaching staff that has almost entirely turned over this past offseason. Akina's remaining on the staff was critical in helping to stabilize the 2011 recuiting class, and his departure now raises questions about a number of kids who were coming to play under the coach who sent guys like Earl Thomas, Aaron Ross, and Michael Griffin to the NFL, among others.
We'll start posting information about possible replacement candidates as names begin to emerge.
The coaching carousel continues to turn, turn, turn...
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Wow - damn fine DB coach
Coaching staff just took a hit. Ego hit for working for a 36 year old? Doesn´t sound like Akina.
Note to Bill Byrne "Because you aren´t Texas and you´ll never be Texas"
Your move Manny Diaz...
Boise State choked while Auburn enjoyed a comeback for the ages. I'll have another heaping helping of hypocrisy, please.
by Mulliganville on Jan 16, 2011 8:56 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Not sure why Akina would leave for less $
Unless him and Mack were butting heads or the comment realmccoy made
I wonder if he still wants the DC job
Might have been offered more control or upward mobility. We gave him the hot seat once and it burned him, and now that Diaz is in place he’s obviously not getting a second shot anytime soon.
jesus mary and joesph
him and diaz must have hit it off very well
over/under on how many recruits we lose from this class now?
mack brown shoulda retired when he had the chance
"We'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
by greenspointexas on Jan 16, 2011 9:01 PM CST reply actions
Why would mack retire when he is earning $5 million per season? Come on now.
Boise State choked while Auburn enjoyed a comeback for the ages. I'll have another heaping helping of hypocrisy, please.
by Mulliganville on Jan 16, 2011 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
GPT, you seriously say the dumbest crap of anyone on this board.
by TXinDC on Jan 16, 2011 9:12 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
+1 and an amen.
Boise State choked while Auburn enjoyed a comeback for the ages. I'll have another heaping helping of hypocrisy, please.
by Mulliganville on Jan 16, 2011 9:14 PM CST up reply actions
Don't know the his name
The db coach for LSU has had a lot of talent come from their program. Maybe, we steal from Nebraska.
by goje5 on Jan 16, 2011 9:04 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Good fine, PB
If there’s a link, I missed it. I located this
Wow.
Was really hoping that Akina was a lock and an achor on this staff…and really appreciate all that he’s done.
This was my thought, too.
He’s applied for DC before, as well. This is a lesser position but still one he has great experience, plus his own five seasons as DC at Buffalo.
The only hitch I see is probably recruiting. He has very little college coaching and recruiting experience, won’t have the name of some other DB coaches out there. But unless there is a fatal flaw, he would be aces at DB coach and a powerful complement to Diaz’ experience.
But he has a love for the Horns
It is easy to sell a kid on the tradition when your heart is in it. Also, it is easy to get in homes when you flaunt that All-America, NFL experience. Like selling candy to a baby.
FWIW, Recruitocosm tweeting it’s Gray.
- Move along now
Make him a co-DC
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 16, 2011 9:44 PM CST up reply actions
Diaz would really like that...nt
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 16, 2011 10:20 PM CST up reply actions
Eh, tell the guy to shut up and color
He’s lucky to have this job, IMO.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 17, 2011 12:47 AM CST up reply actions
No, I'm not serious about telling him to shut up and color
Obviously he’ll do a better job if he’s happy with the staff arrangement.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 17, 2011 12:48 AM CST up reply actions
I have a concern with Gray
Something makes makes me worried that he isn’t the best candidate to be an asst. coach like DB. He seems to want the top spots, so if I were Diaz I would be really careful about hiring him, unless Diaz is really open to having a someone challenging him.
I think Gray would be good coach, but may not be the right fit with such a young DC.
I have posted my thoughts on A. Williams to the NFL, and now this leaves us in more trouble. However, Williams did not have a single interception this year and our secondary was not that great. We have superior talent and are losing to teams with less talent. That is coaching. I think Akina is a great coach, but he was not great this past year.
Plus, there may be a other cultural divides at work, although that is just a hunch.
I know this, Akina is loud on the field. Every practice I’ve been to, he’s been quite noticeable just by volume and frequency.
You’re right, though, two of the basic elements the Horns need to be excellent – the offensive line and the DBs – have yet to fall in place. That is troubling.
HCIW
Jerry Gray would probably be the prohibitive favorite for head coach, especially if Diaz only stays at Texas for a couple of years before moving on and Jerry Gray takes over DC for a couple years before MB retires.
Akina…don’t know how anyone could be talked into working under Mike Stoops.
As the coaching carousel continues…somebody got their wish to fire everyone and start over.
The pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak or the timid.
Hook'em
F@#k. Can this coaching drama end already?
Will we lose Josh Turner now?
In Mack Brown We Trust!
Worst news possible
Of any of the assistant coaches, I feared the loss of Akina more than anyone—more than Muschamp, and more than Applewhite.
Seriously, wtf happened? I can only imagine that there was a fundamental issue between Akina and Diaz, and if that turns out to have been the case, then I’d much rather have sided with Akina.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 16, 2011 9:46 PM CST reply actions
That's definitely not the only way it could have happened.
We know that Akina wants to be HC at Hawaii (where he’s from, in case anyone didn’t know that), and since he’ll never become the defensive coordinator at Texas after the 2007 season, he needed to move on in order to have opportunities to advance.
There was a LOT of smoke the night of Muschamp’s departure about Akina leaving too — I guess it was legit, and it appears that Mack knew about it, too.
Another recruiticosm reader
You’re all so easy to spot, you copy everything he says like it’s your own thoughts.
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 17, 2011 8:26 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah
Going down the ranks from DB coach at Texas to DB coach at Arizona makes little sense if his ultimate goal is to be a HC at Hawaii or anywhere. Simply moving a few thousand miles west does not set you up to be Hawaii’s next HC.
He’s only 52 so it seems like he would have plenty of coaching years ahead of him. I wonder how many other positions he sought before landing there. This is not an improvement in prestige, and I doubt they money is better.
Clarification from Arizona
Akina coached at Arizona from 1992-2002 and had great success there as architect of one of the most successful defensive teams in the country, the legendary “Desert Swarm”.
Also, stop to consider Duane’s long term ties to ex-Arizona coach Dick Tomey, who he goes back to 1983 with at the University of Hawaii.
Dick is a legend in Hawaii and has now retired there and working as something of a consultant to the UH football program. When the opportunity arises and the timing is right, Akina will be given every opportunity to be the HC at UH. Write it down.
We would have to care, to write it down.
Please reply if you care if Akina becomes HC of UH.
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 17, 2011 5:41 PM CST up reply actions
I care.
But I’m just that kind of person.
See ya later, alligator.
by Paleface Horn on Jan 17, 2011 5:42 PM CST up reply actions
Was just responding to the erroneous
post stating that Akina somehow compromised his chances to become a the HC at Hawaii by moving to Arizona.
I didn’t bring it up, Wrangler did, but I’m guessing reading isn’t your strong suit.
Obviously
Because I was responding to your comment:
When the opportunity arises and the timing is right, Akina will be given every opportunity to be the HC at UH. Write it down.
by azjazzman on Jan 17, 2011 5:28 PM CST
Clearly, intelligence is not your strong suit.
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 17, 2011 5:48 PM CST up reply actions
"Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity."
Your ego is showing
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 18, 2011 9:55 AM CST up reply actions
If there was a problem between Akina and Diaz,
the question becomes “Was Mack aware of it when he hired Diaz?”. If so, then Mack wanted Diaz badly enough he was willing to lose Akina. I wasn’t impressed with the Diaz hire; now I am even less so. What’s next, Applewhite?
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
A new candidate is emergin
Bobby Burton ($) reporting former Horn standout Willie Mack Garza could be in the hunt. He currently coaches DB’s under Lame Kiffin at SC.
- Move along now
I'm hoping for Gray
As recruitocosm is reporting. Imagine all of experience. I truly believe we might be upgrading here. I’m thinking everyone will be quite surprised by his recruiting abilities.
by Horns94 on Jan 16, 2011 9:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I like this choice
He’s been recruiting the Texas area for USC along with 16 years of solid experience including 3 as a GA here…
We have a 12th man and he's Bryan Harsin
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 16, 2011 10:10 PM CST up reply actions
Really?
I go to a party and get home to see if we have a lead on OL Coach and this is what we get? All this was suppose to end in 2010.
Way overrated as a DB coach.
Let’s see how many pro DBs he puts in the NFL without the talent he had at Texas.
It took Cedric Griffin being lambasted by the fab base in 2003, a veteran DB field against Ohio State, and why he was allowed to stay after his disastrous year as DC.
I’ll answer the last one. Nobody came calling.
The Hawaii job was open then to.
But Boom loved him. Really?
Upgrade for a real coach. Win.
by thirtyand0 on Jan 16, 2011 9:58 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I don't agree at all.
" Answers --Become Resources."
Without Questions, There are limited Resources...
Sour grapes, IMO
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 17, 2011 12:45 AM CST up reply actions
Unit last year with talent at the corners was a bust. That’s coaching.
Cedric Griffin was a fan target until his junior year.
A veteran DB in 2006 against Ohio State full of NFL caliber players left Ohio State receivers wide open.
He was able to get talent at Texas he won’t get at Arizona.
His DC experiment was a joke.
He stayed then after his demotion because no one wanted him. Hawaii was open when Jones left.
But he yelled a lot.
He should have been fired for 2007 and for 2010.
by thirtyand0 on Jan 17, 2011 6:17 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I never said he was a good DC
The rest of this is nit-picking at best. The corners were not a bust last year, either. The whole team collapsed, and the corners and ends were probably the strengths of the team, unless you’re assigning blame to Akina for the lunacy of putting Williams and Brown back to botch punt returns over and over.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 17, 2011 9:58 AM CST up reply actions
I just can't imagine Jerry Gray
taking the DB spot at a university, albeit his alma mater. The guy’s been a DC in the NFL and has publicly lobbied for the DC job at Texas. Can’t imagine Mack would do that to Manny. Willie Mack would be good find, imo…the pride of Refugio!!!!
I thought about that and wondered why he hasn't been picked up as a DC since that time.
Most everything has been DBs coach. So, he doesn’t seem to be moving up the ladder, which is not necessarily bad…he’s making NFL pay scale for sure. Willie Mack Garza would be a strong choice as well, especially on the recruiting side.
A. Seahawks out of playoffs today
2. Akina takes job in AZ
and D. Gray top candidate for DB coach
makes me go hmmm.
I call bullshit! Bevo size!
While this news isn't good
I wouldn’t worry too much. Texas has been called “DBU” since the dawn of time for a reason. I’m sure the replacement will be just as good or better than Akina.
As far as Grey is concerned, you keep your hands off him. He’s going to Tech along with his son. (praying out loud)
" Answers --Become Resources."
Without Questions, There are limited Resources...
I think the biggest reason has been Akina, at least in recent history
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 17, 2011 12:46 AM CST up reply actions
Akina's a good coach but . . .
. . . year-in and year-out Texas has phenomenal DB talent. Just like at RB, it’s mostly a matter of selecting the right kids.
As was mentioned above, I’d guess Akina’s leaving because he and Diaz just didn’t hit it off very well (to say the least). Still, we’ll be OK at DB in the long run. I worry more about special teams. I’d hoped Akina would coach them this year.
Texas has had equally phenomenal talent at numerous positions
Sometimes even better talent. However, Akina actually turned that talent into top-level football players.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 17, 2011 1:44 AM CST up reply actions
Really? Way overrated there. An occasional punt block but think about kickoff coverage in his tenure.
Punt returns and a couple of kickoff returns were just like a Davis offense. A great playermaking an individual play.
Think of the 2006 Rose Bowl. A typical occurrence. Did Michigan ever start a drive after a kickoff inside their own 50. The guy has the record I bet.
by thirtyand0 on Jan 17, 2011 6:22 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Sheroid Evans status:
Soooooo my position coach is headed to Arizona St..??? Woow what’s next?
Visit my blog on all things college football, Pigskin Phenom.
by acho81 on Jan 17, 2011 12:03 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Give me....
Willie Mack Garza is the better fit!!! Jerry Gray seems like more of NFL guy?!?!?!?!!? Bring WMG back home!!!! I know Gray would be coming back home too, but WMG is younger and lets make USC coaching staff weaker!!! LOL!!!
But an NFL guy that wants to come home
If it is Gray, I say give him a chance. He is one of the best, if not THE best, DB coaches in the NFL. You don’t think the creme-de-la-creme won’t be banging our doors down to get a chance to learn from him? Not knocking Garza, but I believe that Gray would be considered the leader in the clubhouse.
- Move along now
The Redskins took a big step back Gray's first year, but improved remarkably as he coached them up
With the exception of his last season as DC in Buffalo, his pass-defenses were pretty darn good. While Seattle was still terrible at pass-defense in 2010 on the whole, the team did improve a lot as the season progressed, and there was still a measurable improvement over 2009. Really, looking over his resume as DC and DBs coach, I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t get a serious look as defensive coordinator, although it appears he hasn’t coached at the college level since two seasons as DBs coach at SMU in the mid-90s.
Just Harsin around.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 17, 2011 9:49 AM CST up reply actions
Willie Mack . . . .
had a well documented and somewhat aggravated DWI incident in 2003 while coaching DBs for TCU that got him fired and had him wandering around in the coaching wilderness (North Dakota St.) for a few years. Kiffin hired him to coach DBs at Tennessee in 2009, I believe on the recommendation of James Lott (WMG’s cousin) who Kiffin knew from somewhere. I have no idea how that incident would factor into the “vetting” process
by Arroyo Grande on Jan 17, 2011 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
A change may do us some good
The last couple of seasons it’s seemed like we’ve had good individual players in the secondary, but the unit as a whole has been average at best. And given the increase in running quarterbacks, a better zone scheme could help. Akina is a great teacher of man coverage, but we never quite figured out zone.
Muschamp
He didn’t want Akina, so maybe he was invited to search for a new job and just finally got it. Muschamp just hired Texas Tech’s DB coach Travaris Robinson, so he could have made a run at Akina. I wonder if Akina thought he was going to FL and burned a bridge with Mack?
I think this is a bigger loss in appearance than in actual coaching talent for us.
Maybe it was like the Bobby Kennedy situation.
See ya later, alligator.
by Paleface Horn on Jan 17, 2011 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
"soft landing" ?
That’s what I thought too, but I don’t like the “pro-longed” nature of the turnovers. It is unseemly for a program like Texas and my real concern is that recruits like Turner from OK were allegedly caught off guard by it.
Jerry Gray to TEXAS
Breaking: Jerry Gray to be Texas’ new DB coach
Monday, January 17, 2011, 03:29 PM
Breaking: Former Longhorns’ All-American defensive back Jerry Gray, currently the defensive backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks, will be announced as Texas’ new DB coach as early as today, the American-Statesman has learned from a source close to the UT football program.
Statesman
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