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Arizona football notebook: Former assistant joins staff as defensive analyst, Gunner Cruz’s new gig, spring practice dates set

Wednesday was the start of the traditional signing period in college football, but other than a surprise commitment from 3-star Florida receiver Devin Hyatt there wasn’t much recruiting news for Arizona.

But UA coach Jedd Fisch did announce a significant addition to the program in the form of Duane Akina, who has joined the staff as a senior defensive assistant/secondary coach (translation: analyst).

“I believe we signed a 5-five star coach,” Fisch said of the 66-year-old Akina, who comes to Tucson after spending the previous eight seasons as Stanford’s defensive backs coach.