Duane Akina, a renowned assistant football coach in the college ranks, has his post-retirement coaching plan all lined up.
“When I’m done with football, my true passion has always been basketball, and I’m going to coach intermediate basketball somewhere,” he said.
Akina, the state Player of the Year in basketball in 1975, was twice named All-State after leading the Buff ’n Blue to state titles in 1974 and 1975, and ILH titles in 1973, 1974 and 1975.
It is in football that he made his name nationally – helping the University of Texas to a national championship as its defensive coordinator and continuing today at Stanford. At Punahou, he was selected to the all-ILH football teams in 1973 and 1974, and named All-State in 1974, when Punahou won ILH titles in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
Akina’s love of basketball led him to choose the University of Washington because he was able to play both sports. The benefit of playing multiple sports has influenced Akina’s coaching philosophy throughout his career.
“I like kids who play multiple sports,” he said. “It is healthy, gets you involved with the school, keeps you competitive.”