Penn State has hired former Miami coach Manny Diaz as its new defensive coordinator, the program announced on Saturday. Diaz was fired, and replaced, as the Hurricanes coach on Monday.
“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 said in a statement.
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Diaz, 47, had a 21-15 record at Miami, including bowl appearances in his first two seasons and qualification this year after going 7-5. A Miami native, Diaz was the school’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for three seasons before taking over as head coach after Mark Richt in 2019. Diaz was making $3.1 million.
After being fired on Monday, Miami swiftly moved to make former Oregon coach Mario Cristobal its new coach in a massive 10-year deal worth $8 million per year. Cristobal is also a Miami native and won two national championships with the Hurricanes as a player in 1989 and 1991.
Penn State lost its former defensive coordinator Brent Pry at the end of November when he took the head-coaching job at Virginia Tech. He had worked for Franklin and the Nittany Lions for the past eight years.
(Photo: Joel Auerbach / Getty Images)
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Penn State gives Manny Diaz a fresh start: What will the former Miami coach bring to the Nittany Lions?
How much will change going from Pry to Diaz?
Audrey Snyder, Penn State beat writer: Replacing Pry and all he brought as a friend and confidant for Franklin wasn’t going to be easy. However, anytime a staff adds a former head coach there’s tremendous value.
This week Penn State also retained co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter who looked to be headed to Virginia as a head coach, so the defensive side of the ball will be stacked. Diaz’ extensive experience as a linebackers coach — coupled with his roots in South Florida — gives Penn State a stronger presence in the talent-rich area. It also reunites him with someone he hired a few years ago, receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield.
What went right and wrong at Miami for Diaz?
Manny Navarro, Miami beat writer: Diaz, who came up with the Canes’ infamous Turnover Chain, made an immediate impact at Miami when he arrived as Richt’s defensive coordinator. Miami became among the nation’s leaders in tackles for loss, sacks and turnovers created behind an aggressive attacking style.
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But after taking over as head coach, Miami’s defense started sliding once four-year starting linebackers Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney graduated in 2019. Diaz took back Miami’s defensive coordinator duties in 2021 from Blake Baker, but the Hurricanes didn’t improve. Miami ranked among the worst tackling teams in the country with linebacker being one of the biggest holes on the team.
Expectations for Penn State in 2022
Snyder: Hiring someone whose defensive philosophy aligned with the scheme PSU ran under Pry was important to Franklin. It’s what he was telling recruits and commits since Pry’s departure. In hiring Diaz, they accomplished that, which should help speed up the transition.
Penn State has yet to say who will call the defense in the Outback Bowl, but that’s likely Poindexter, the co-defensive coordinator, while Diaz could start evaluating and analyzing the roster.
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