Manny Diaz (American football)

Manuel Alberto "Manny" Diaz II^[1] (born March 13, 1974) is the current defensive coordinator for the University of Miami Hurricanes football team.

Coaching career

Florida State

Diaz began his coaching career at Florida State University in 1998, working alongside defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews for two seasons. During his stint, the Florida State Seminoles appeared in two back-to-back BCS National Championship Games, a loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl, and a win against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2000 Sugar Bowl.

NC State

Diaz played a major role for one of the country's top-ranked defenses by coaching safeties in 2004 and 2005 and handling the linebackers in 2002 and 2003 for the NC State Wolfpack.

The 2005 NC State Wolfpack football team finished eighth nationally in total defense, sixth in third-down percentage, and twelfth in scoring defense en route to a 7-5 record and a shutout win over the South Florida Bulls in the 2005 Meineke Car Care Bowl. Diaz also served as special teams coordinator and the kickoff return unit finished fifth nationally, while the punt return team blocked four kicks.

In his first year as safeties coach and special teams coordinator in 2004, NC State's defense finished the year as the top-ranked unit in the country in total defense by allowing just over 220 yards per game. The Wolfpack defense also held national powers Ohio State and Florida State to under 130 yards of total offense during the season. Diaz, who coached All-ACC performer and former New York Jets player Andre Maddox, also had the punt return team block three kicks and take two returns for touchdowns.

Diaz handled the linebackers for NC State in 2002 and 2003. The 2003 NC State Wolfpack football team finished 7-5 with Diaz sharing play-calling duties for all 11 games. He also made all the defensive calls during the 2003 Tangerine Bowl win over the Kansas Jayhawks.

In 2002, his first year as a full-time coach, Diaz helped the Wolfpack to one of their best seasons ever, finishing 11-3 and defeating Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. He shared in the play-calling duties, and NC State ended the year ranked 14th nationally in total defense and 10th in scoring defense. In back-to-back games against Florida State and Notre Dame, NC State did not allow an offensive touchdown.

Middle Tennessee

Diaz spent four seasons as defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State University. Diaz also coached linebackers for two years after mentoring the safeties during his first two seasons in Murfreesboro.

In four years under Diaz, the Middle Tennessee defense led its conference in sacks and tackles for loss twice, and finished no lower than third in the league in either category during his tenure. In 2009, the Blue Raiders finished second nationally in tackles for loss, stopping more than eight and a half plays per game behind the line of scrimmage. Diaz's defense also ranked sixth nationally in sacks that season, posting nearly three per game.

Also in 2009, Diaz tutored defensive end Chris McCoy who was tabbed the Sun Belt Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year. McCoy led the league and ranked sixth nationally in tackles for loss. Safety Jeremy Kellem and cornerbacks Alex Suber and Marcus Udell were also named first team all-SBC. Defensive end Jamari Lattimore along with linebackers Cam Robinson and Danny Carmichael earned second-team honors. Overall, Diaz' unit produced 17 all-conference players during his time there and put up three of the top four fewest yards allowed averages at Middle Tennessee in its FBS era.

Mississippi State

In 2010 with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Diaz guided a defense that ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring defense (19.9 ppg), 17th in rushing defense (214.9 ypg) and 17th in tackles for loss (7.0 pg). That was a dramatic turnaround for MSU from the season prior to his arrival. In 2009, the defense finished 71st in scoring defense, 62nd in rushing defense and 89th in TFL. Mississippi State also finished ranked 13th in red zone defense (.73) and 22nd in turnovers forced (28) nationally this season.

Texas

In 2012 with the Texas Longhorns, Diaz guided the Longhorns.^[2]

On September 7, 2013, the Longhorns' defense, under Diaz, gave up 550 yards rushing to Brigham Young University, the most in school history. The following day, Mack Brown described the defensive performance as "unacceptable" and removed Diaz from the position of defensive coordinator.^[3]

On January 21, 2014, ESPN first reported Diaz would become the new Defensive Coordinator at Louisiana Tech. This was later followed by official reports by the university.^[4]

Second stint at Mississippi State

On January 5, 2015 it was announced that Diaz would return to Mississippi State as Defensive Coordinator.^[5]

Miami

On January 2, 2016, University of Miami football head coach Mark Richt named Miami native Manny Diaz as the Hurricanes’ Defensive Coordinator for the start of the 2016 campaign.^[6]

Personal life

Diaz is the son of former mayor of Miami, Manuel Alberto "Manny" Diaz.

References

External links

• Louisiana Tech profile