Manny Diaz announced as new Penn State defensive coordinator
After an informal end of his tenure in Miami, Manny Diaz has already found a new job.
State of pennsylvania announced Saturday that Diaz will serve as the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator. The news comes weeks after former DC Brent Pry left to become the head coach of Virginia Tech.
“We are delighted to add Manny Diaz as defensive coordinator,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said in a statement. “Manny is a defensive game veteran whose experience as a head coach will bring tremendous value to our organization. He has an innovative approach to complement his extensive knowledge of X and O which he developed during his stoppages. at several Power Five conferences. “
Diaz, who went 21-15 in three seasons at Miami, was fired Monday after weeks of speculation over his employment status and the Hurricanes’ prospects of hiring Oregon coach Mario Cristobal. Through Illustrated sports‘s Ross Dellenger, Miami would have continued with Diaz as head coach if Cristobal had not agreed to the 10-year deal that will average him $ 8 million a year.
“I am disappointed with the University’s decision and the way it has unfolded over the past few weeks,” Diaz said in a statement after his dismissal.
In Diaz’s last season at the helm, the Hurricanes went 7-5 to rank 77th nationally in total defense. He will inherit a group Nittany Lions which ranked seventh in the country in terms of defensive scorer (16.75 points per game).
“The opportunity to lead linebacker U is an honor and I will work every day to keep that tradition alive,†Diaz said in a statement. “Penn State’s defense has been among the best in the country, both historically and under Coach Franklin. I will continue to strive for excellence with our defensive unit every day.”
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