University of Texas football coach Fred Akers,...

University of Texas football coach Fred Akers, reportedly under fire from alumni, fired four assistant coaches and hired Georgia Tech assistant coach Dwain Painter as offensive coordinator.

Fired were offensive coordinator Ron Toman, running back coach Ronnie Thompson, tight end coach Ralph Harris and assistant linebacker coach Scott Conley.

Painter was an assistant at UCLA and Brigham Young before joining the staff at Georgia Tech in 1982. He also was head coach at Northern Arizona for three seasons.

Texas lost to Air Force, 24-16, in the Dec. 31 Bluebonnet Bowl to end the season with an 8-4 record. During the game, an airplane towing the message “Fire Fred” flew over Rice Stadium.

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