AUSTIN (KXAN) — Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns officially have the staff ready for the 2025 season, and someone who had a hand in the school’s last national championship is returning.
The school announced four hirings and two promotions Thursday, three to fill vacancies and three others to fill newly created positions.
The headline hire, or perhaps re-hire, is Duane Akina. If the name sounds familiar, he coached the Longhorns’ secondary from 2001-2013 under head coach Mack Brown. Akina coached 14 first-team all-Big 12 selections, two Jim Thorpe Award winners and two other finalists, helping Texas earn the nickname “DBU.” He’ll be the defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach this time.
Akina was the co-defensive coordinator in 2005 when the Longhorns won their last national title and went 131-36 during his first tenure. He spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Wildcats, where he was a secondary coach and defensive coordinator. Throughout his coaching career, Akina has coached 41 defensive backs who have gone on to the NFL.
Akina replaces Blake Gideon, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets.
Mark Orphey takes over as the cornerbacks coach, coming in from Rutgers where he spent three years in the same role. Orphey replaced Terry Joseph after he left for the New Orleans Saints to become their defensive pass game coordinator.
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Chad Scott will take the reins of a loaded running back corps. He spent the past seven seasons as the running backs coach for West Virginia. He takes over for Tashard Choice, who is now the running backs coach for the Detroit Lions.
Michael Bimonte and Keynodo Hudson were promoted to their roles. Bimonte, a senior offensive analyst from 2021-24, was promoted to co-passing game coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach. He played quarterback from 2011-14 under Texas offensive coordinator Kyle Flood when Flood was the head coach for the Scarlet Knights. Hudson was a defensive analyst last season and will now coach the nickels.
LaAllan Clark will coach the edge rushers after two years as a graduate assistant for Ohio State.
Texas opens the 2025 season Aug. 30 against the Buckeyes in Columbus.
