DBs coach Akina jilts Arizona, returns to Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – Duane Akina, the former Texas defensive backs coach who took a similar job at Arizona a few weeks ago, is returning to the Longhorns.

Akina spent the past 10 seasons at Texas, but was one of several assistants under head coach Mack Brown to leave after the Longhorns went 5-7. He coached 14 seasons with the Wildcats earlier in his career and returned in January.

Texas hired Jerry Gray to replace Akina, but Gray agreed Saturday to become defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.

Akina said Monday he was "not happy that I had to put both of these institutions in this situation." He said having younger children was a "driving force" behind the decision to return to Austin.