Dorrell to Interview Akina

Karl Dorrell could finish assembling his staff within a few days. The new UCLA coach today will interview Duane Akina, the leading candidate to become defensive coordinator, and he plans to interview Al Borges for the offensive coordinator opening on Tuesday.

Akina, the Texas secondary coach and a former longtime Arizona assistant, has indicated a strong interest in the job. North Texas defensive coordinator Gary DeLoach is the only other candidate known to have interviewed for that spot.

Borges knows UCLA well, having served as offensive coordinator under Bob Toledo from 1996 to 2000. Borges was a finalist in 1997 and 1998 for the Broyles Award honoring the nation’s top assistant coach.

He left for the same position at California for a substantial raise, but the Bears were 1-10 in 2001, Coach Tom Holmoe was fired and Borges hooked on at Indiana.

Borges departed UCLA on good terms and is a close friend of Bob Field, an assistant athletic director heavily involved in football decisions.

If hired, Borges would also serve as quarterback coach, completing Dorrell’s offensive staff. Akina would also be secondary coach. That would leave spots open for another defensive assistant or special teams coach and a linebacker coach.

Two of Dorrell’s former UCLA teammates, James Washington and Ken Norton Jr., expressed interest in joining the staff shortly after Dorrell was hired. However, Washington said Sunday that Dorrell has not contacted him and Norton has no coaching experience.

UCLA is considering a program in which former Bruin players would come in to mentor players.