The search for a secondary coach for the Arizona Wildcats football team ended with an in-house name on Monday.

Head coach Mike Stoops announced Ryan Walters as the Wildcats’ new secondary coach. Walters served a year as Arizona’s defensive graduate assistant during the 2010 season.

“”After exploring our options, I felt Ryan (Walters) is the best fit at this time for our team,”” Stoops said in a press release. “”He brings a youthful energy to the staff and solid knowledge of our system. We’re able to continue preparations for spring ball immediately.””

The announcement came after Duane Akina chose to return to the University of Texas Longhorns after Stoops hired him early February.

Walters is the second youngest current football coach in the Pacific 12 Conference.

“”Obviously I’m more than excited about getting this job and opportunity and the fact Coach Stoops has the confidence to hire me,”” Walters said. “”I have a lot to prove and this is a great situation for that.””

Walters is only 25 years old and played collegiate ball at the University of Colorado at Boulder, for four seasons under former-Wildcats secondary coach Greg Brown. He played 46 games for the Buffaloes, who will enter the Pac-12 next season.

Returners for the secondary include cornerbacks Robert Golden, Trevin Wade and Jonathan McKnight as well as safeties Marquis Flowers and Adam Hall.

“”We have a great group of players in the secondary, a good mix of veterans and young talent,”” Walters said. “”I’ll be working tirelessly to get the job done the way it’s supposed to get done.””

—Nicole Dimstios