AUSTIN, Texas — Part of Texas football history will return to the Forty Acres this season.
According to reports, former secondary coach Duane Akina will return to the Longhorns as a secondary coach.
Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com first reported Akina’s hiring. During Mack Brown’s tenure, Akina served as an assistant coach and co-defensive coordinator before eventually leaving for Stanford.
KVUE’s news partners at the Austin American-Statesman report that Akina nearly returned to Texas before last season as a defensive analyst under Steve Sarkisian, but would later join the Arizona Wildcats as a defensive backs coach.
Akina, who is 68, has been coaching for more than 40 years. During his first tenure at Texas, he oversaw three Thrope Award winners and nearly 30 defensive backs who played in the NFL.
Akina was also vital in the development of former Texas stars Michael Huff, Aaron Ross, Michael Griffin, Earl Thomas and Quentin Jammer.
Akina’s return will boost an already potent passing defense. Texas allowed the fewest yards per pass attempt in 2024, which helped lift the Longhorns to a 13-3 record before reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals.
His hiring comes as defensive game coordinator Terry Joseph left to join the New Orleans Saints and new head coach Kellen Moore’s staff.