Robert Anae has been a popular coach at Arizona for the past two seasons. 2011 photo by Michael Chow, Arizona Republic.

UPDATED: 5:50 p.m. with the official announcement from BYU

Arizona Wildcats offensive line coach Robert Anae will to return to BYU as offensive coordinator, the school announced late Friday afternoon.

Rumors circulated about the potential hiring this morning. Jeff Call of the Deseret News was the first on the story.

Anae, who was the Cougars’ inside receivers coach and offensive coordinator under Bronco Mendenhall from 2005 to 2010, has been at Arizona for the past two years. He was the only assistant from Mike Stoops’ coaching staff to be re-hired by coach Rich Rodriguez after the 2011 season.

Anae resigned under pressure at BYU after the 2010 season as Mendenhall opted for sweeping changes. Now, Mendenhall is making sweeping changes again on his offensive coaching staff and bringing back Anae, who was a standout offensive lineman for BYU and played on the Cougars’ 1984 national championship squad.

“It was my privilege to be part of the Arizona program the past two years and to have coached the players I worked with in Tucson,” Anae said in a statement.

Anae, 54, was a popular coach at Arizona, helping the young 2011 offensive line (one career start entering the season) mature into a more productive unit in 2012.

Anae’s son, Famika, stayed at BYU to play football after his father left for Arizona. Famika is still at BYU but had to give up football during this season due to various injuries, including a surgically repaired knee.

The Wildcats have lost two assistant coaches this offseason. Tight ends coach Spencer Leftwich left to go to UTEP, where his son will be a freshman quarterback next fall. Rodriguez moved quickly and promoted Charlie Ragle off his operations staff to replace Leftwich.

As for a new offensive line coach, the most logical target for Rodriguez is Greg Frey, who is the offensive line coach and running game coordinator at Indiana. He was an assistant under Rodriguez at West Virginia and Michigan.

When offensive lineman Cayman Bundage wasn’t celebrating a touchdown with Ka’Deem Carey, he was helping clear space for him up front. Photo by Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Ball at the 25. Three-point lead. Four minutes and 40 seconds left against USC.

A true freshman is at left guard. The left guard is at left tackle. The center and right guard are injury replacements. Arizona’s backup quarterback, B.J. Denker, had just come into the game for an ailing Matt Scott.

No way were the Wildcats going to pass the ball.

“When everyone in the stadium knows you are going to run it, that’s the time you have to do it,” Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said.

For a team that plays fast and ranks high in all the national stats in offense, it was the ensuing 19-yard drive — before a delay-of-game penalty at the end — that will go down as one of the season’s highlights.

“It’s satisfying for the offensive line because we pride ourselves in getting better in the run game,” said starting junior guard Chris Putton, who also has been rotating at left tackle with Mickey Baucus.

“We put our minds to it. Come off the ball. Whoever wants it more is going to win it.”

Arizona handed off to Ka’Deem Carey seven consecutive times.

Nine yards, then 2 yards. First down.

Six yards, then USC’s second timeout of the half. Four yards. First down.

A loss of 1. USC’s final timeout. No gain. Loss of one.

Delay of game before the punt.

“I would have liked to see us get that last first down and then just knee the clock out,” said offensive line coach Robert Anae.

“But very excited. It was mission accomplished when we took their timeouts and we drained the clock. Then, I’ll be darned, the punter comes out and knocks that thing right to the 10 with no return. That’s good football. That’s really good football.”

In what very well might be the most significant punt of senior Kyle Duganzic’s career, he rugby punted the ball 48 yards along the right sideline, forcing Robert Woods to make the catch going out of bounds at the 13.

“It was exactly where I wanted it,” Dugandzic said.

With 55 seconds left, the Arizona offense had put the Trojans into a hole that was just deep enough. The Cats held on to win 39-36.

There was plenty of credit to go around. Carey, as usual, ran hard and fought for just enough yardage on UA’s final possession. Dugandzic did his best impersonation of Josh Miller 20 years ago against top-ranked Washington.

Mostly, it was a signature moment for the offensive line.

The line hasn’t been great — Rodriguez almost weekly talks about the need for more push, more physical play up front — but it has held together through injuries, helping the offense average 553.6 yards and 39.1 points per game. Scott hasn’t been sacked in the past two games.

“I’ve been proud of them because we’re just kind of a patchwork line and have had a different lineup just about every week,” Rodriguez said.

Arizona has started four different combinations up front in the past five games.

Addison Bachman has replaced starting center Kyle Quinn, who has missed three-and-half games because of an ankle injury. Putton has started at both guard spots, in addition to playing tackle. Shane Zink has started the past four games for Trace Biskin, who returned from a toe injury to play as a reserve vs. USC. True freshman Cayman Bundage is seeing ample time at left guard.

“I think we have done a pretty good job of holding together as a family,” Putton said.

As far as other personnel problems, tackle Jack Baucus (knee) and guard Carter Lees never made it to the season and are no longer on the roster. Redshirt freshman tackle Jacob Arzouman suffered a torn ACL in fall camp. Redshirt freshman Lene Maiava was in the rotation at tackle before he tore his ACL last month.

“Well, I don’t look at it as a patchwork deal,” Anae said.

“Guys who are playing have earned that. They earned that. To me, if you have a patchwork approach, the guys are playing out of default. We’ve had some injuries, so there has been some of that, but I don’t like to look at it as a guy is playing out of default.

“I like to look at it as a guy has earned his time to play and deserves to be on the field.”

Rodriguez said the Cats used six offensive linemen two weeks ago in the win over Washington. With Biskin’s return, the rotation went to seven. When Quinn gets back, it’s up to eight.

“We’ve been able to win with those eight players,” Anae said.

“At this point of the year, that’s a really big plus, because a lot of teams are playing with fewer who haven’t won. I really like the progress as the O-line as a group. I look at it as a team effort.”

The offensive line might be a work in progress, might still need to “move people” better, as Rodriguez puts it. But there was just enough movement, enough push, against USC when it mattered the most.

That’s good football.

“We jelled as a team at a very critical point of the game,” Anae said. “And it turned out in our favor.”

Rich Rodriguez wasn’t in the spotlight early in his career. Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

RELATED: When they played the game: The All-Pac-12 Coaches team

Ah, the good ol’ days. Rich Rodriguez remembers those. Becoming the head coach at Salem University at 24 years old. Taking over at Glenville State two years later, in 1990.

The small college days.

These days, as the first-year head coach at Arizona — and as a guy who has won Big East titles and breathed the air at Michigan — Rodriguez is accustomed to coaching luxury. Assistants to the assistants to the assistants. Yes sir, Coach. Whatever you need, Coach.

Back then, he was just a one-man band making his way in the backwaters of the coaching world.

“My wife lined off the field when I was at Glenville. She was eight months pregnant,” Rodriguez said.

“I made her stop because I was afraid it was going to screw up the child with those fumes from the paint. I said, ‘Honey, I don’t think that’s really good for ol’ junior there.’”

Rodriguez’s background is a microcosm of the Arizona coaching staff, most of whom have long, loyal ties to Rodriguez.

This is a coaching staff with humble beginnings.

Seven of the 10 UA coaches played college ball at lower-division schools. Liberty. Salem. California (Pa.). Rodriguez was a walk-on at West Virginia, eventually working his way into the starting lineup.

Only one UA coach, co-offensive coordinator Calvin Magee, played in the NFL, doing so as a tight end for Tampa Bay from 1985 to 1988.

Six of the 10 started their coaching careers in high school. Only offensive line coach Robert Anae began his career on the major college level, doing so with Dick Tomey at Hawaii, although Anae later spent time working the trenches in junior college.

(By comparison, only one of the 10 coaches on last season’s Arizona coaching staff played small college football, and just two coached in high school.)

Having these bios with unprivileged beginnings is exactly how Rodriguez likes it.

“I don’t know if I would hire a guy if he hadn’t coached at the high school or small college level,” Rodriguez said.

“When they go to a big school, all you do at a big school is get spoiled. If you’re in a small college or high school, you have lined off the field, you were the equipment guy, you were the only manager. Now I have managers for every position, trainers all over the field, people washing clothes, people painting.

“Sometimes, I don’t know where they all come from.”

There is something to be said, UA coaches say, about the collective personality that arises from having worked their way up from the bottom. It’s no wonder Rodriguez and his assistant have forever preached about having a “hard edge” — an everyday intensity and toughness when nothing is given to you.

And with that should come the attitude of gratitude.

“For me, I’m living the dream every day getting to coach Division I elite athletes in a conference like the Pac-12,” said receivers coach Tony Dews. “It’s a dream. I’m humbled every day that I get out of bed and have this opportunity.”

Here is a look at Arizona’s coaching staff:

Robert Anae was one of 29 finalists for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant. Photo by Michael Chow, Arizona Republic.

Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez has re-hired offensive line coach Robert Anae from the UA’s 2011 staff, the school announced Friday night.

Anae recently completed his first season at UA after spending six years at BYU.

“I’m happy to re-hire Robert to join this staff,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to add to our offensive package and is a great fit for our program.”

Anae earned high marks for his work with the offensive line, which entered last season as the nation’s youngest group (one total career start). Without a senior, the group should return intact next season … and it helps that it won’t have its third line coach in three seasons.

“I’m thrilled to be back and eager to join Coach Rodriguez and the rest of his staff in shaping a new direction for Arizona football,” Anae said in a statement. “We have a great opportunity to be a fine team. I’m ready to bear down with Rich’s staff.”

Anae also gives Arizona a Polynesian presence on the coaching staff, which is traditional for the Wildcats but is something Rodriguez has lacked in his recruiting background.

Rodriguez has hired five coaches — four of whom he worked with at West Virginia and Michigan.

Three arrived Wednesday — co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach Calvin Magee, receivers coach Tony Dews and defensive backs coach Tony Gibson.

On Thursday, Rodriguez hired co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Rod Smith.

Rodriguez said he would like his staff completed by next week, looking to hire a tight ends coach and three defensive assistants, including a coordinator.

Trace Biskin jumps rope before practice. Photo by Michael Chow, The Arizona Republic

Arizona Wildcats coach Mike Stoops was asked what quality new offensive line coach Robert Anae brought to the team.

“Patience,” Stoops said with a chuckle.

Anae has been working this spring with a bunch of pups. Big pups to be sure. But pups nonetheless. The all-new offensive line will display the results of Anae’s work Saturday at the team’s final spring scrimmage at Arizona Stadium (1:30 p.m.).

“Everybody since day one after the bowl game has been saying, ‘What’s going to happen with Arizona with their offensive line being young?’” said junior guard Trace Biskin. “You know, whatever.

“We come out here and just try to get better. We don’t care how old we are. We’re just looking to get better every day. Coach Anae stresses that as long as we play tough, we’re going to be fine.

“You can correct mistakes, but you can’t correct toughness.”

So, that’s two buzzwords for the offensive line this spring: Patience and toughness.

Perhaps continuity is another.

From the pre-spring depth chart, through the first public scrimmage a couple of weeks ago, and likely including Saturday’s spring game, the starting five has been like this:

LT Mickey Baucus, redshirt freshman
LG Chris Putton, sophomore
C Kyle Quinn, junior
RG Trace Biskin, junior
RT Fabbians Ebbele, redshirt freshman

The only career start belongs to Quinn, who started the Alamo Bowl in place of injured Colin Baxter.

Quinn should emerge as the leader of the line and one of the team’s unofficial spokesmen.

“We’re definitely developing an attitude to where we don’t want to be talked about in a negative way,” Quinn said.

“We want people to be talking about us in a positive way, like, ‘Hey, the o-line is doing good,’ and people don’t have to worry about us. We’re just getting to work and getting dirty down here.”

Without any senior offensive linemen on the two-deep, this group — and its new position coach — has a chance to grow up together. How fast is the key.

Arizona has its best collection of skill-position players under Stoops, but the whole attack could unravel without solid play from the line.

“I think the big thing is they’re starting to get more comfortable with each other,” said senior quarterback Nick Foles. “This is the first time they’ve been together as one unit. A lot of them last year were on scout team, so it’s a whole new atmosphere.”

SPRING GAME

From ArizonaWildcats.com:

The Wildcats, fresh off a third-straight bowl appearance last December, hit the field for spring practice. This will provide coaches some quality time to evaluate players and positions as the program retools for the inaugural 2011 Pac-12 season this fall. Please join us on April 16 for the annual Spring Game at Arizona Stadium. The Fan Fest opens at 10:30 a.m. on the McKale Lawn. We will have pre-game food by Rincon Market and El Charro Cafe, games and fun activity stations, and a few past Wildcat football “greats” will be coming back to sign autographs at 12:30. There will be no tailgating, but this event is free to the public and will be a great time for the entire family. Then join us at Arizona Stadium for the Spring Game. Ticket office personnel will be inside to answer any question about the upcoming season and to help renew or purchase season tickets. Concessions will be open and fans are invited to sit in the east grandstand. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m.

Who: Arizona Football
What: Football Spring Game
Where: McKale Lawn & Arizona Stadium
When: Fan Fest opens at 10:30 am & the Spring Game kicks off at 1:30 pm
Confirmed Wildcat football “Greats”: Michael Bates, Lance Briggs, Eben Britton, Antonie Cason, Rob Gronkowski, LaMonte Hunley, Mike Thomas and many more…

Duane Akina, right, was well-compensated at Texas last season.
Photo by Bruce Thorson-US PRESSWIRE

All of Arizona’s assistant football coaches will receive a bump in salary for next season as the Wildcats try to keep up with an escalating pay scale, coach Mike Stoops said.

“We’re trying to get equitable and competitive with everybody,” Stoops said. “I think that’s a big part of stability. That is certainly something we’ve fought. Our guys have all made more money wherever they’ve gone.”

Arizona paid last season’s nine assistant coaches $1,506,510, a figure that ranked seventh in the Pac-10, according to a USA Today database of coaches’ salaries.

Arizona’s pool of money was slightly ahead of new Pac-12 member Colorado ($1,494,215). The Buffaloes’ total salaries likely jumped this offseason because they have a new coaching staff, including two assistants from Stoops’ 2009 staff — defensive tackles coach Mike Tuiasosopo and co-defensive coordinator Greg Brown.

Utah’s compensation for its assistants was $1,265,000. So, even with an across-the-board raise for Arizona’s assistants, they likely will stay in the lower-middle of the Pac-10 in terms of total compensation.

Compare all this to Texas, whose revamped coaching staff is guaranteed $3.65 million for the 2011 season, according to USA Today. In 2010, Alabama was the national leader in assistant coaches’ salaries at $3.265 million.

While college football’s facilities arms race is deemed to be crucial in terms of luring recruits, opening the wallet is key to attracting and retaining quality assistant coaches.

“We have to do it incrementally,” Stoops said of increasing the money available to assistants.

“We’re trying to be as comparable as we can. And we have presented some great opportunities for some coaches, too.”

Stoops has three new assistants, including secondary coach Duane Akina, who likely took a pay cut to leave Texas in order to return to Tucson, where he coached for 14 years under Dick Tomey. Akina made $318,059 at Texas last season, according to the USA Today database.

Arizona’s highest-paid assistants last season were Brown and co-defensive coordinator Tim Kish at $230,000. About 150 assistants across the country made more than that in university-based compensation.

“We’re trying to be as proactive as we can to maintain a pay scale that can benefit these guys and still be within reason,” Stoops said. “They understans. And you can’t put a price on quality of life, too.”

Stoops also hired veteran assistant Robert Anae to coach the offensive line, and a young coach, Joe Salave’a, to tutor the defensive tackles.

“(Athletic director Greg Byrne) helped me in doing the things necessary to help get the best quality people that we can to coach this university, and I think we did that,” Stoops said.

Byrne, in a recent interview with TucsonCitizen.com, declined to answer what Akina’s salary will be, although that will eventually be a matter of public record.

“I try to assist our head coaches, especially in football, as much as the head coach wants,” Byrne said when asked about how involved he is in the hiring of assistants.

“I do believe thoroughly in giving the coaches the resources they want in order to hire the coaches they want to hire, within reason. And I know at the end of the day they need to be comfortable with who they are working with.”

Stoops, who has a contract through Jan. 31, 2014, also will receive a salary bump for the 2011 season. His university compensation annually increases by $100,000 on July 1. His annual salary will rise to $1.2 million starting this summer.

Offensive lineman Conan Amituanai, who was a senior in 2010, was a recent Wildcat with Polynesian ties.
2007 Tucson Citizen photo

The Arizona Wildcats signed two Polynesian offensive linemen — Faitele Faafoi and Lene Maiava — on Wednesday. Coach Mike Stoops added a junior college defensive tackle, Aowae De Rego, who attended high school in Hawaii.

To make it easier, he goes by the first name of Lamar.

Beyond that, freshman defensive tackle Saneilia Fuimaono enrolled at the semester break. He joins a dizzying array of vowels on the defensive line — Kirifi Taulu, Auilua Fanene and Sione Tuihalamaka.

Former Arizona assistant Mike Tuiasosopo, who left for Colorado after last season, did a nice job of helping the Wildcats recruit Polynesian players during the Stoops era. But Arizona’s recruiting power in that area has tripled.

Stoops’ three new assistants — offensive line coach Robert Anae, secondary coach Duane Akina and defensive tackles coach Joe Salave’a — all have strong ties to that part of the world.

“I think we’ll get stronger and stronger,” Stoops said of recruiting Polynesian players, especially those directly from the islands. “I think we have a great chance to own that part of the country.”

Anae grew up on the North Shore of Hawaii and attended Kahuku High School, where his late father, Famika, was the long-time football coach. Robert was a graduate assistant at Hawaii for Dick Tomey.

Akina was Hawaii’s Prep Athlete of the Year at Honolulu’s Punahou High School in 1975, and he later served as an assistant at Hawaii, also under Tomey.

Salave’a, from American Samoa, had a notable NFL career and has held football camps on the islands through his foundation.

“These guys are legend where they’re from,” Stoops said.

“Their record speaks for themselves. The quality of people they are is the quality of people they attract. Certainly, that is what we look for — that character. You’re not going to find three better men than these guys. They’re role models for these kids to look up to.”

Other Wildcats with Polynesian backgrounds include running backs Keola Antolin and Taimi Tutogi.

While at Arizona, Tomey sent at least a dozen players with Polynesian ties to the NFL: DL Stan Mataele, OL Mu Tagoai, OL Pulu Poumele, OT Edwin Mulitalo, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, DE Van Tuinei, OL Makoa Freitas, OL Makai Freitas, OL Steven Grace, OL Kili Lefotu, OL Manu Savea and Salave’a.

“There are no athletes that are, in my estimation, more competitive, more athletic or more family-oriented, or who fit into a team concept as well as Samoan athletes,” Tomey once told Sports Illustrated. “The more we could get on our team, the better I felt.”

Given his new assistants, perhaps Stoops can start feeling better, too.

Gary Randazzo at WildcatSportsReport.com — one of the partners in the TucsonCitizen.com Sports Network — has a pronunciation breakdown for some of the new Cats.

Duane Akina, right, celebrates a win at Nebraska last season with Texas head coach Mack Brown.
Photo by Bruce Thorson-US PRESSWIRE

Duane Akina is the middle of explaining his difficult decision to leave the University of Texas when he starts flashing back to all things Arizona.

Chuck Cecil pouncing on ASU punter Mike Schuh’s dropped snap in 1987 … Darryll Lewis turning Oregon quarterback Bill Musgrave sideways at the goal line in 1990 … the Desert Swarm days … coaching All-American cornerback Chris McAlister …

Akina is a Wildcat again, lured from Texas, where he had spent 10 seasons as an assistant, to return to Arizona, where he had spent the previous 14 seasons under Dick Tomey.

Now, Akina will coach the secondary for Mike Stoops.

“It was extremely hard,” Akina said by phone Monday night after packing up his locker at Texas.

“It was the exactly the same thing emotionally, with all the anxiety, that we went through the first time when I was leaving Tucson to come to Austin. It was like, ‘Oh no, not this again.’ Stomach churning. Couldn’t sleep.”

In the end, Akina said he felt the timing was right. He had felt a pull to head back west. His family was “fired up” to return to Tucson. He talked about his “unfinished business” as a Wildcat.

“We had a great stand when we were there in the 1990s,” Akina said.

“We were close. And that’s still the goal: I want to line up and be part of the first Arizona team in the Rose Bowl. We need to go there and get that.”

With Akina’s experience, success and Wildcat ties — plus, he inherits a terrific group of young defensive backs — there will be no shortage of topics in the coming weeks and months. For now, here are eight things about Akina’s hiring to hold you over:

1. The coaching title

Arizona didn’t release an official statement of Akina’s hiring (almost certain to happen Tuesday), but he is here to coach defensive backs. Tim Kish is expected to remain the sole coordinator.

As for having an additional title, such as “assistant head coach” or “associate head coach,” Akina said that might be a possibility. Two things about that: We’ll have to wait for the official release … and he doesn’t much care.

“Let’s just go win. The fun is in winning,” Akina said. “Nobody cares who gets the credit. No egos.”

Tomey noted in an interview Monday that Akina is “the most unselfish coach I’ve ever been around.”

When Akina was Arizona’s offensive coordinator in 1995, he volunteered to move back to defense if Tomey could bring in renowned Homer Smith to lead the offense. Then, Akina was in line to be defensive coordinator in 1997 but said he’d stay as secondary coach if Tomey could bring back Rich Ellerson as coordinator.

“People aren’t doing that today,” Tomey said. “They are so invested in their own careers, and Duane is a team guy. …

“He doesn’t need a title to have respect. Some people I think do.”

2. Recruiting

Akina is expected to be in town Tuesday and hit the ground running as soon as possible. His ties to Texas and his native Hawaii are right in Arizona’s recruiting wheelhouse. Akina said he has been busy contacting Arizona’s defensive back recruits.

3. Working with Kish

Akina said he is eager to learn from Kish and bounce ideas off him. One of the things that hasn’t been talked about much in Tucson is that Kish served 11 years as an assistant — at Purdue and Army — to former Arizona head coach Jim Young.

“Tim Kish’s reputation precedes him,” Akina said. “In the coaching fraternity, Jim Young and that staff carry so much credibility.”

Related: Ex-Cat on Akina: ‘I would chew nails and spit blood for that guy’

4. Philosophy

Let’s use Akina’s words to sum it up: “We coach ‘em hard and we love ‘em hard, too.”

Tomey told the following story about a practice during his first season at Arizona, where he and Akina inherited All-American senior safety Chuck Cecil in 1987.

“Chuck was kind of like, ‘Here’s this new guy from Hawaii,’ and it wasn’t a confrontation but it was a test of wills on the field one day between Duane and Chuck. The whole team was there.

“They loved each other, but Duane was not going to back down to the All-American. They were going to be out there all day. He just stayed at it. ‘Do it again, do it again, do it again.’

“Duane is stubborn and persistent and technical, and there is nobody more enthusiastic on the field. Nobody.”

Coach ‘em hard and love ‘em hard.

5. Working with them, not against them

Three members of Arizona’s offensive staff — coordinator Seth Littrell, outside receivers coach Dave Nichol and new offensive line coach Robert Anae — coached at Texas Tech under Mike Leach. Over the years, they gave Akina plenty of headaches trying to scheme against the pass-happy spread.

“My blood has been all over that field at Texas Tech,” Akina said.

Akina said he has known Anae, also from Hawaii, for a long time. Anae coached the offensive line at Tech from 2000 to 2004.

“One year, we threw every blitz at him that I can remember,” Akina said. “And our defensive line coach said to me, ‘What a great job your buddy did picking all that up.’”

Chris McAlister made this interception late in the 1998 Holiday Bowl to preserve a 23-20 victory over Nebraska.
Tucson Citizen photo

6. Simply the best

Akina has coached three winners of the Jim Thorpe award — given to the nation’s top defensive back — but remains mystified about how Arizona cornerback Chris McAlister didn’t win it in 1998.

“That was criminal,” Akina said.

Akina coached five first-round defensive backs at Texas, but McAlister is still the gold standard among his pupils.

“Out of the all the defensive backs, Chris Mac is still the measuring sticks for all the pro scouts that come out,” Akina said. “They say, ‘How does he compare to Chris?’”

7. Arizona pride

When Akina hits the recruiting trail for Arizona, he’ll be talking to kids who know all about his success at Texas.

When he started at Texas, recruits knew all about his success at Arizona.

“I used the success at Arizona to really help me at Texas,” he said.

“Many times when I would go to speak at events or was introduced, they always said, ‘He was part of Arizona’s Desert Swarm’ … and, I tell you, I swelled with pride. There was a tremendous, tremendous standard of play here.”

8. Final word

“I coached a lot of things, but I prided myself on being a secondary coach. So the secondary coach was kind of the whipping boy for me because I was so critical. But Duane, he became the best one I had ever been around … There’s nobody better at what he does. Nobody.” — Dick Tomey

Related: The official release from Texas about Akina’s resignation

Freshman Fabbians Ebbele works out during fall camp.
Photo by Brad Allis, Wildcat Sports Report

The Arizona Wildcats have eight-and-a-half-months to figure out an all-new offensive line, under an all-new offensive line coach, trying out a slightly new philosophy.

First things first. The coach, Robert Anae, while new to Arizona is a veteran coach whose recent stops include Texas Tech and BYU. He replaces co-coordinator Bill Bedenbaugh, whose departure to West Virginia leaves running backs coach Seth Littrell as the sole coordinator.

“Hiring Robert Anae, it couldn’t be a better fit for us,” said coach Mike Stoops said.

“He has an expertise on the offensive line that is desperately needed at this level of football. I couldn’t be more pleased with that element of our staff.”

Anae will be the run-game coordinator and will collaborate with the play-calling Littrell on the game plan.

“I’m just happy that he’s here,” Stoops said of Anae. “I didn’t think this opportunity would ever arise. He’s a guy who I have competed against for many years at BYU and at Texas Tech. I certainly was well-aware of the preparation of his players and how they played.”

As for the players, let’s start with center Kyle Quinn, who will be a junior.

Quinn is the only returning offensive lineman who has started a game. His grand total of starts: one. That came in the Alamo Bowl against Oklahoma State, and Stoops said Quinn “did an outstanding job against a very good Oklahoma State team.”

Arizona also brought in junior college transfer center Addison Bachman. Whoever doesn’t win the center job could very well end up as a starting guard.

Arizona loses its top three tackles, so look for Mickey Baucus and Fabbians Ebbele to be atop the pre-spring depth chart. Each redshirted as freshmen last season.

“I think both are going to be outstanding players,” Stoops said.

“We probably should have played Mickey this year. He practiced all year as our fourth tackle, but we never had to get to him. We were close. I think those two guys, they are going to be tremendous, tremendous players.”

Baucus and Ebbele got plenty of practice time last season with the second unit, working against Arizona’s outstanding defensive ends, so that should be useful experience.

Stoops also mentioned sophomore-to-be Eric Bender-Ramsey.

“Bender-Ramsey has got to be a player for us,” Stoops said.

At guard, rising sophomore Chris Putton is a leading candidate. Trace Biskin is another to watch.

No matter the combination, the line will be young. It will be inexperienced.

Arizona’s “heavy” run game did not work last season. Stoops talked Tuesday about being more of an all-the-time spread team. That sounds like a good plan. Not only because it fits the personnel — good quarterbacks, lots of good receivers and one elite wideout in Juron Criner — but because the Wildcats could use an identity.

The Wildcats tried to be a four-wide team and a power running team. Stoops told me last month that’s it’s hard to recruit to that many positions on offense, with all the receivers and H-backs and tight ends.

Balance is nice, but it is a banging-your-head-against-the-wall exercise when half of that balance is all out of balance.

Arizona needs to focus on what it does best — throw the ball.

“When we spread it, and went four wides and went up-tempo … that was the best thing we did all year,” Stoops said.

“We may look at it and just go all tempo with three and four wides (next season). We’ll know more once we get back together after recruiting, but I would anticipate that is more of where we’re headed with this thing.”

All three of these things — personnel, coaching and scheme — should make for an intriguing spring practice.

Famika Anae, a BYU offensive tackle who redshirted in 2010 after suffering a spring ACL injury, wrote in an e-mail that he will be staying with the Cougars.

Anae was a freshman last season at BYU after completing his church mission.

He wrote that the family was excited for his dad’s move to Arizona but added, “(I) look to be back on the field this spring and competing for a starting spot at right or left tackle again, so I felt, as well as my family, that it would be better for me to stay and play my four years here at BYU!”

Robert Anae was an offensive lineman at BYU in the early 1980s.