In what seems like evidence that Duane Akina had been talking about this possibility with Mack Brown for some time, Jerry Gray has already been named as his replacement. Gray was an all-american at Texas and was a first round pick by the Rams in 1985. He has been a coach in the NFL since 2001, last coaching defensive backs for the Seahawks this season.
↵Gray's hiring seems to be an emphatic answer to the opening, as he has been oft linked with a job at his alma mater, but had appeared to be overqualified for any position but defensive coordinator. Texas now searches for the same emphatic solution in the offensive line, where Brown appears to be to at least his fifth choice.
↵The impact of the change on recruiting will soon be seen, as we are in the final weeks before signing day. But Gray should be quite the reassuring name to join Manny Diaz.
↵UPDATE: Burnt Orange Nation has more on the Gray hiring.