The Arizona Wildcats football program is in the market for a new defensive backs coach.
Duane Akina, who was Arizona’s defensive coordinator in 2024 and was going to be the DBs coach in 2025, is leaving Tucson for Austin, Texas to join the Longhorns’ staff, according to reports. He will take the same position coaching the Texas secondary, where he coached from 2001-13.
According to my sources, veteran defensive backs coach Duane Akina has been hired to replace Terry Joseph. Akina spent more than a decade with the Horns from 2001-2013. He coached at Arizona last season. pic.twitter.com/P3tCMQFINJ
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) February 24, 2025
Akina, 68, had multiple stints at Arizona, starting under Dick Tomey during the “Desert Swarm” era from 1987-2000. He later coached a second stint at Arizona in 2011 under Mike Stoops and interim head coach Tim Kish before his third stint from 2023-24.
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Arizona’s defense improved greatly under Akina in 2023, posting one of the program’s best defensive seasons following the departure of Jedd Fisch to Washington.
How does Duane Akina’s move affect the roster?
Four defensive backs — Marquis Groves-Killebrew, Genesis Smith, Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson — entered the transfer portal before opting to return. It now is unclear if those four, or any others, may enter the portal when the spring window opens after spring camp from April 16-25.
Among Arizona’s biggest losses in the portal was linebacker Jacob Manu, who has committed to play at Washington in 2025.
Starting cornerbacks Tacario Davis and safety Gunner Maldonado have also hit the portal, landing at Washington and Kansas State, respectively.
Brent Brennan’s first year leading the Wildcats went far south of expectations with a good portion of the roster returning from a 10-win club a year prior. Arizona was projected to finish fifth in the Big 12 but fell flat with a 4-8 record that ended with a 49-7 rivalry loss to Arizona State.
Other coaching moves at Arizona
Danny Gonzales was promoted to defensive coordinator after coaching linebackers and special teams a season ago. Brennan filled a number of vacancies this offseason, bringing in Seth Doege as the new offensive coordinator, Joe Salave’a as the defensive line coach, and Josh Miller as tight ends coach.
Arizona currently has a vacancy for its special teams coordinator along with the newly defensive backs coach position.
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