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

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

“”After exploring our options I felt Ryan 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 comes after Duane Akina chose to return to the University of Texas Longhorns after Stoops named him coordinator earlier in the month.

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 his is a great situation for that.””

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

Returners for the secondary include cornerbacks Robert Golden and Jonathan McKnight and safeties Marquis Flowers and Adam Hall.

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