By
Maxx Wolfson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
New defensive coordinator will be announced by Friday
With only 18 days remaining before the start of spring practice, Arizona football is still without a defensive coordinator.
As talks finalize in the search for a replacement for Duane Akina, who left to coach defensive backs at the University of Texas, UA athletic director Jim Livengood is optimistic that a new coach will be named by the end of the week.
"Right now we just have to respect the process," he said. "We've talked to a number of people, and we'll make a decision by Thursday or Friday."
One interested candidate met with Livengood and head coach John Mackovic over the weekend.
Larry Mac Duff, special teams coach for the NFL's New York Giants, was given permission by the Giants to speak with Arizona.
"Our position closes on Friday, so we hope to move quickly after that," Mackovic said yesterday afternoon.
Mac Duff took the job with the Giants after a 10-year stint as UA's defensive coordinator from 1987-96.
"We had great meetings with Mac Duff over the weekend," Livengood said.
Mackovic indicated that after Akina left last week, he would like to keep the double-eagle flex defense that has been the trademark defense for Arizona for the past decade.
"Right now, there are several people available that may be able to run that defense," Livengood said. "Obviously, it would make it easier if the candidate knew the defense."
