Moderators Jeff Howe Posted February 25 Moderators Posted February 25 Hours after the news of Terry Joseph’s move to the New Orleans Saints went public, Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian has filled the vacant defensive coaching staff position with the architect of some of the top secondaries in school history. Sources told On Texas Football on Monday that the Longhorns have hired Duane Akina as their safeties coach, a move first reported by Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods. Most recently, the defensive coordinator at Arizona, the 68-year-old Akina was the Texas defensive backs coach under Mack Brown for 13 seasons (2001-13). Texas won the 2005 national championship, two Big 12 titles (2005 and 2009), a Rose Bowl (2004) and a Fiesta Bowl (2008) during Akina's first stint in Austin. The Longhorns also produced two Jim Thorpe Award winners under Akina: Michael Huff (2005) and Aaron Ross (2006). Akina coached some of the top defenses in school history, including the 2001 group, which led the nation in total defense (236.2 yards per game and 3.8 yards per play allowed). The four starters in Akina's first Texas secondary (Rod Babers, Ahmad Brooks, Quentin Jammer and Nathan Vasher) played in the NFL; Jammer was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2002 draft, while Vasher was a Pro Bowl selection and an All-Pro for the Chicago Bears. Jammer was one of six first-round picks Akina coached during his time with the Longhorns. Along with Jammer, Huff (2006) and Ross (2007), Michael Griffin (2007), Earl Thomas (2010) and Kenny Vaccaro (2013) were first-round picks; like Jammer, Thomas was a finalist for the Thorpe Award, headlining a 2009 Texas defense that led the nation with 25 interceptions. Huff, Ross and Griffin joined 2006 second-round pick Cedric Griffin and 2007 fifth-round selection Tarell Brown to form arguably the best defensive backfield in school history in 2005. Those five helped lead the charge on defense en route to the Longhorns winning their most recent national championship. Akina coached or recruited 15 NFL draft picks and eight All-Americans in his first stint on the Texas staff. View full news story 32 Quote
t.newman Posted February 25 Posted February 25 PK, Nansen, and Akina will certainly make a powerful defensive trio!! Surprising, but then when isn't a Sark hire surprising? 14 Quote
horns96 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 I’m stunned, I’m pissed? Nah! This is awesome🤘 DBU🤘 5 Quote
dentonhorn Posted February 25 Posted February 25 This won’t go over well , said no Texas fan evah. 4 4 Quote
Sancho Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Rod wanted him when Gideon left. i assume he's thrilled. architect of one of our DBU times is back. worked with Nansen. 7 Quote
Brian Berg Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Just had my first corndog with mayo and the combination of that and the Akina news is a good substitute for Joy Mode 13 Quote
CHorn427 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 -Texas DB just won the Thorpe -Duane Akina is a Texas DB coach 5 23 Quote
pinkman_90 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Can’t say I’m overly excited due to the age and odd fit in PKs scheme. But whatever screw it. Bring me more Thorpe awards. 3 1 Quote
Assistant Regional Manager Posted February 25 Posted February 25 I hope they have a plan for the recruiting side as I can’t imagine Akina will be doing much heavy lifting on the trail. Nice to have him back but definitely goes against the grain on some previous hires that have been made. 6 Quote
SuperDave0805 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 4 minutes ago, Assistant Regional Manager said: I hope they have a plan for the recruiting side as I can’t imagine Akina will be doing much heavy lifting on the trail. Nice to have him back but definitely goes against the grain on some previous hires that have been made. Plan is asking who the NIL check should be made out to 2 6 Quote
Quinncent McManning, Jr. Posted February 25 Posted February 25 On some level this whole thing makes you wonder about the joseph situation. He never had a contract renewed. We then hired a guy to coach his position despite losing the other db coach. And now we immediately hired akina as if it were planned the whole time. Not saying we pushed him out but it’s not as simple as the saints just offered him and he left. 4 Quote
HTXHorn Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Curious to know if Akina’s hire was the reason Joseph left? This sounds like the dream team of defensive coaching staffs. Quote
jkates Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Akina is a good dude. I hope he still has a few good years in the tank. 1 Quote
GoHorns1 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 11 minutes ago, Assistant Regional Manager said: I hope they have a plan for the recruiting side as I can’t imagine Akina will be doing much heavy lifting on the trail. Nice to have him back but definitely goes against the grain on some previous hires that have been made. Actually brings wise extremely experienced coach to the back four along the two young nickel and corner coaches 4 Quote
GoHorns1 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 3 minutes ago, HTXHorn said: Curious to know if Akina’s hire was the reason Joseph left? This sounds like the dream team of defensive coaching staffs. Doubtful 1 Quote
Jarveaux Posted February 25 Posted February 25 28 minutes ago, horns96 said: I’m stunned, I’m pissed? Nah! This is awesome🤘 DBU🤘 “YES” Quote
ThatHornsGuy87 Posted February 25 Posted February 25 Rod B definitely got into the joymode after that one 🤣 6 Quote
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