Arizona football DC Duane Akina, seeking a more aggressive defensive style

Duane Akina, the defensive coordinator for Arizona, wants to be more aggressive rather than completely redesign the unit he assisted in managing the previous season.

“We’re probably a little more aggressive with the front,” Akina stated. “We’ve added coverage to the secondary that was kind of our guts when I was at Stanford and Texas. Most likely, we’re filling in the gaps in a somewhat different way. Get upfield and be more vertical.

I have a slightly more aggressive wiring. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that we are seated on the line of scrimmage and running our way to the quarterback. That might represent a minor alteration. We might add one or two twists from the front. The incidental material is moving to be consistent and as time goes on we will probably be able to add a few things.”

Akina finds the transition to defensive coordinator smoother due to the return of many players from the previous season. He emphasizes the significance of continuity, noting how communication has improved with players now grasping the language and reasons behind defensive strategies.

Drawing from his offensive background, he teaches defensive players to understand not only their positions but also the overall structure of the defense and its objectives. Regular meetings foster cohesion among the players, contributing to his decision to remain with the team.

Akina expresses admiration for Arizona’s secondary, emphasizing their exceptional intelligence quotient (IQ) and their commitment to continuous learning. He singles out Gunner Maldonado and Treydan Stukes as names to remember on a national scale, highlighting their versatility and depth of understanding.

Dalton Johnson receives similar praise for his adaptability and learning approach. Akina reflects on his coaching experience, noting a shift towards unified coaching methods, where all corners meet together to ensure consistency and progress in fundamental skills. He observes significant improvement resulting from this collaborative approach.