TUCSON, Ariz. – University of Arizona Football Head Coach Jedd Fisch today announces the hiring of Duane Akina as Senior Defensive Assistant and John Richardson as Cornerbacks Coach.
 
"We are proud to welcome two incredible teachers and mentors to our coaching staff, and we are excited for them to make an immediate impact in our program and specifically with our Defense," said Head Coach Jedd Fisch. "Coach Akina is an icon in Tucson, and to have him back here joining our staff is a huge win for Arizona Football. For years, I have heard about Coach Akina, to work with him is truly a blessing."

Coach Fisch continued. "As for Coach Richardson, we had a very specific intention when hiring our next Corners coach.  We wanted someone very familiar with our scheme. We wanted someone very familiar with recruiting California, a native of Southern California, and a proven winner. Coach Richardson fit the bill on all four accounts."

"Amber and I would like to personally welcome Duane's wife Donna, and their family along with John's wife Sahfiya, and their family.  As we say here in Tucson, It's Personal."

With the additions of Akina and Richardson alongside Safeties Coach Chuck Cecil, the Wildcats' secondary has combined 77-plus years of coaching experience at the highest levels of college and professional football. 

Before Akina's 14-year career at Arizona, he spent five seasons as a defensive assistant under Tomey at Hawaii, followed by one season with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders. 
 
Akina mentored three Jim Thorpe Award winners: Darryll Lewis (Arizona), Michael Huff (Texas) and Aaron Ross (Texas), seven Pro Bowlers, nine Super Bowl participants, and 12 All-Americans.
 
In his previous stint at Arizona from 1987 to 2000, Akina held multiple roles, including defensive backs coach, associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and offensive coordinator. Following the 2000 season, Akina had a similar role under Mack Brown at Texas. Most recently, Akina worked for David Shaw as Stanford's defensive backs coach from 2014 to this past season. 
 
Cornerbacks Coach John Richardson joins the Wildcats after coaching two seasons at Washington State, leading the cornerbacks, and serving as the recruiting coordinator. He was promoted to Assistant Head Coach following the 2020 season.
 
In 2020, his first season at Washington State, the Cougars defense produced four All-Pac-12 Conference selections including cornerback Jaylen Watson, who earned Honorable Mention and saw the Cougars lead the conference with eight forced fumbles.
 
Richardson brings 12-plus years of college coaching experience including two years at Washington State, six seasons as the cornerbacks coach for the University of Wyoming, and over five seasons in multiple roles from student assistant and grad assistant to cornerbacks coach at North Dakota State.
 
He helped the 2019 Wyoming Cowboys finish sixth in the country in red zone defense, No. 11 in the country in rush defense (107.1) and scoring defense (17.8), No. 40 in tackles-for-loss (83), and No. 43 in total defense.
 
From 2011-13, Richardson helped North Dakota State to a 43-2 (.956) overall record and a 22-2 (.917) Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) mark on its way to its three consecutive FCS national titles. The 2013 NDSU squad became the first undefeated (15-0) FCS National Champion since Marshall went 15-0 to win the 1996 title. NDSU extended its winning streak to 24 consecutive games with the 2013 FCS Championship, tying both the FCS and NDSU records for successive victories.
 
Richardson was a two-year starter at cornerback for NDSU (2007-08) where he made 85 tackles over his two-year career, 19 pass breakups, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He began his college career in his home state of California at Mt. San Antonio Community College.