South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Diaz joins Penn State coaching staff
Former Hurricanes head coach named defensive coordinator
Manny Diaz lost his job in Miami, but ended the week in Happy Valley.
The former Hurricanes coach was named Penn State’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, the school in Happy Valley, Pa., announced Saturday morning.
“We are thrilled to add Manny Diaz as our defensive coordinator,” Penn State coach James Franklin said in a statement. “Manny is a veteran defensive play caller whose head coaching experience will bring tremendous value to our organization.
“Manny’s defensive philosophy is in line with our scheme and will help in the transition with our current team,’’ Franklin said. “His defenses have been aggressive and led the country in several categories throughout his career.”
Diaz replaces Brent Pry, who left Penn State after eight seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator to become Virginia Tech’s head coach.
Diaz said in a statement: “My family and I are so excited to come to Happy Valley and join the Penn State family. The opportunity to lead Linebacker U is an honor and I will work every day to uphold that tradition. Penn State’ s defense has been among the nation’ s best, both historically and under Coach Franklin. I will continue to pursue excellence with our defensive unit on a daily basis.”
Diaz, 47, was fired on Monday and replaced with Mario Cristobal. He was a longtime defensive coordinator, with stops at Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech, Texas and Miami before becoming UM’s head coach.
Cristobal’s Miami contract is $80 million for 10 years, a source told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Diaz, who was 21-15 in three years at Miami, was previously Miami’s defensive coordinator under Mark Richt when he introduced the “Turnover Chain” to the program. His 2018 defense ranked fourth nationally in total defense.
Diaz went 16-9 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and 0-2 in bowl games. The 2021 season started a disappointing 2-4 before ending with a 7-5 record (5-3 in ACC). In its three seasons under Diaz, Miami didn’t win the Coastal Division or play in the ACC title game.