Reunited: Diaz brings Baker on

Hiring of former colleague defines roles for defensive coaching staff

CORAL GABLES — Miami’s defensive coaching staff is officially set.

A little more than a week after taking over as the Hurricanes’ new coach, Manny Diaz officially named Blake Baker his new defensive coordinator, while announcing adjustments for the rest of UM’s defensive staff, all of which he retained after taking over for the retired Mark Richt.

Baker and Diaz worked together at Louisiana Tech, where Baker has been the defensive coordinator since Diaz left the program in 2015. At Miami, Baker will also coach the Hurricanes’ inside linebackers.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Blake to ‘The U,’ ” Diaz said in a statement announcing Baker’s hire. “He built and orchestrated a fast, tenacious defense at Louisiana Tech that consistently made big plays. I have watched him grow and develop as a coach throughout his career and I’m confident he will help our defense continue to excel.”

Under Baker, the Bulldogs finished last season

ranked 27th in total defense, allowing opponents an average of 341.3 yards per game. Tech’s passing defense allowed an average of 191.6 yards per game, which ranked 29th in the nation among FBS programs.

Louisiana Tech also ranked fourth nationally in team sacks (3.46 per game), 12th nationally in team tackles for loss (7.8) and 33rd nationally in turnovers gained (22).

Louisiana Tech ranked 25th nationally in opponent yards per play (4.9) this past season, while Bulldogs defensive end Jaylon Ferguson ranked second in the nation in tackles for loss (26.5) and led the country with 17.5 sacks.

“Obviously the opportunity to get back together with Coach Diaz, coach [Ephraim] Banda and coach [Jonathan] Patke, guys I’ve worked with in the past, was important,” Baker said in a statement. “But also the chance to uphold the winning tradition they’ve had, both since they’ve been here and also historically. … One thing about the University of Miami, it has forever been known for its defense. I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to lead this unit.”

Baker’s hire was not the only move Diaz announced Monday.

Banda, Miami’s current safeties coach, will continue in that role, but will also serve as a co-defensive coordinator with Baker. Patke, meanwhile, will continue to serve as linebackers coach while also taking on the role of special teams coordinator.

That job had been previously held by tight ends coach Todd Hartley, who was dismissed — along with the rest of Miami’s offensive staff — shortly after Diaz took over as coach.

Defensive line coach Jess Simpson will continue in that role and will keep the associate head coach title given to him by Richt. And Mike Rumph — a cornerback on UM’s 2001 national championship team — will remain the Hurricanes cornerbacks coach.

“I’m excited as we move forward with this defensive staff room,” Diaz’s statement continued. “We have a collection of smart, energetic coaches who I trust and respect, and who I know will ensure that we hold Miami defense to a high standard each and every day.”

On Saturday, Miami announced the hire of David Feeley as the football team’s director of strength and conditioning. Diaz still has not named an offensive staff, though he has said he would like to have all of his coaches in place by Thursday so the group can get to work once the recruiting dead period ends and coaches can have face-toface contact with prospects.