Defensive Back University or DBU (University of Texas Longhorns football team nickname)
The University of Texas Longhorns football team became known as ‘Defensive Back University” (DBU) because so many defensive backs went on to have success in the National Football League. “DBU” success is often credited to Duane Akina, the defensive backs coach (2001-2014).
“The University of Texas is known as ‘Defensive Back University’” was cited in print in 2007. “There’s a reason why the Texas football program has earned the moniker ‘DBU’ over the past 20 years” was cited in 2011.
Wikipedia: Duane Akina
Duane Akina (born c. 1958) is the defensive backs coach for the Stanford Cardinal football team.
In 28 years of coaching football, Akina has coached three Thorpe Award winners in Darryll Lewis (1990), Michael Huff (2005), and Aaron Ross (2006), as well as five finalists for the award, among them Chris McAlister. Twenty of his defensive backs have also gone on to play in the NFL.
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2001-2002 Texas (DB)
2003-2004 Texas (Asst. HC/DB)
2005-2007 Texas co-DC/DB
2008-2010 Texas (asst HC/DB)
2011 Arizona (DB)
2011-2014 Texas (Asst HC/DB)
TexasSports.com
11.07.2007
National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame: Johnnie Johnson
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Being an athlete at The University of Texas truly is a great thing and Johnnie Johnson is one of the best to play in the burnt orange. During his time on campus he was a leader on a strong defense and helped pave the way for other great defensive backs.
“I’m honored to be a part of that rich tradition [of defensive backs],” Johnson said. “There were some great DB’s long before I played here and I’m just honored to have my name associated with such a great group. You look over the history and it’s no wonder The University of Texas is known as “Defensive Back University.” It’s because each year there appears to be several defensive backs that play at a high level whether it was Aaron Ross last year or Michael Huff the year before. It’s great that so many great players have played here.”
ShaggyBevo
All-time Texas secondary?
JW
04-22-2010, 08:48 PM
CB - Mossy Cade
FS - Jerry Gray
SS - Nathan Vasher
CB - Aaron Ross
Nickel - Earl Thomas
Defensive Back University
Bleacher Report—Texas Longhorns
Texas Football: The Top 10 Defensive Backs in Longhorns History
By Kris Hughes , Correspondent Mar 2, 2011
There’s a reason why the Texas football program has earned the moniker “DBU” over the past 20 years. The Longhorns have seen multiple players make a huge impact in Austin, then move on to the NFL to do the same.
San Antonio (TX) Express-News
Byndom giving UT little flash, but plenty of substance
COLUMN BY MIKE FINGER
EXPRESS-NEWS : OCTOBER 27, 2011 : Updated: October 27, 2011 9:19pm
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“This is DBU (Defensive Backs University),” UT linebacker Keenan Robinson said.
Dallas (TX) Morning News
Carlton: After early misstep, Texas’ vaunted defense weighs down Wyoming
CHUCK CARLTON Staff writer .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Published: 01 September 2012 11:01 PM
Updated: 02 September 2012 12:46 AM
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With senior safety Kenny Vaccaro acting as the catalyst, No. 15 Texas rallied for a 37-17 victory Saturday over Wyoming.
Vaccaro acknowledged that a 9-7 first-quarter deficit after Herron’s score was a shock. The secondary had christened itself DBU, as in Defensive Backs University. The faculty didn’t look particularly distinguished in the first quarter.
YouTube
Defensive Back University [March 15, 2013]
Texas Longhorns
Published on Mar 15, 2013
Current and former Texas Football defensive backs discuss UT’s long history of producing the best college and NFL DBs in the nation.
Barking Carnival
NFL Draft: Kenny Vaccaro Carries on Texas DBU Tradition
By Scipio Tex on Apr 23 2013, 3:21p
Defensive Back University marches on.
The NFL draft begins this Thursday (7:00 pm CST) and Kenny Vaccaro will be in New York City to carry on the Longhorn DBU tradition with a first round selection - likely falling somewhere between picks 15 and 22.
The Daily Texan
Duane Akina, head of ‘DBU,’ moving on to Stanford
Published on March 10, 2014 at 12:14 am
Last update on March 12, 2014 at 9:02 pm
BY DREW LIEBERMAN
Long time Texas defensive backs coach Duane Akina has accepted an offer to become the secondary coach at Stanford.
Akina joined the Texas staff back in 2001 and immediately began to build Texas’ reputation as “Defensive Backs University”, an aptly earned title thanks to the Longhorns’ success over his tenure, sending several defensive backs to the NFL. Over his 13 seasons in Austin, 13 Texas defensive backs were taken in the NFL Draft, including five first round picks and 14 All-Big 12 selections.
Horns Digest
Jun 17, 2014 | 12:41 pm
HD ROUNDTABLE
Question: Texas is struggling mightily with getting elite level DBs to “DBU.” What’s the issue and where should the Longhorns look if they can’t get top targets like Kendall Sheffield, Kris Boyd, and Roney Elam?
Burnt Orange Nation
DBU no more? Texas tradition through the years
By Wescott Eberts @SBN_Wescott on Jun 19 2014, 1:00p
Just a few short years ago, the race between the Texas Longhorns and the LSU Tigers for the title of the real DBU was a close one.
Not so much any more, as Tiger defensive backs took home Thorpe Award wins in 2010 and 2011 and six products of Les Miles’ program from the defensive secondary were taken in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 drafts combined. In those same years, the Horns had four defensive backs drafted, aided mightily by the three-man 2011 draft class that included Aaron Williams, Curtis Brown, and Chykie Brown.