 Akina was promoted to co-defensive coordinator and retained his duties as defensive backs coach for the Longhorns from 2005–2007.In the 2007 season, he shared the defensive coordinator position with Larry Mac Duff, but called the defensive plays.After a frustrating season, in which the Longhorns defense allowed a school-record 4,498 total yards, Akina could have faced dismissal following the 2007 Holiday Bowl.