Duke names Manny Diaz head football coach

important role – Duke’s vice president and director of athletics Nina King The appointment was announced Thursday Manny Diaz As Duke University’s 23rd head football coach.

Details regarding Diaz’s introductory press conference will be released on Saturday.

The former University of Miami head coach and current defensive coordinator and running backs coach at Penn State University have had success over the past two seasons. Mike Elkowho held this position for two years.


“As our process has evolved, it has become abundantly clear that Manny Diaz is the right fit for Duke University, and we could not be more excited to welcome Manny, Stephanie and their family to the Duke community,” King said. “Manny’s past experiences have prepared him for this opportunity, and he is quite simply an outstanding football coach who will benefit from the positive momentum of this program. As a senior communicator and collaborator, Manny has the dynamic ability to cultivate impactful relationships with the internal” and external components surrounding a successful football program. “As Duke’s head football coach, I am confident that Manny will lead the young men in our program to reach and exceed their aspirations for achievement on and off the field.”


During Diaz’s 26 years of coaching, he spent three years as a head coach and 15 years as a defensive coordinator, including 10 years at the FBS Power 5 level.


“I am pleased to welcome Manny Diaz as the new head coach of the Duke Football Team,” said Duke President Vincent E. Price He said. “He is an experienced coach with a proven track record of success, deep knowledge of the ACC, and an exciting vision for the future of our program. I am confident that our student-athletes will continue to achieve tremendous success on the field and in the world.” “The semester is under his leadership, and I look forward to welcoming Manny and his family to Poole.”


Diaz, 49, has coached in 21 bowl games, including two BCS National Championship games, and led the Hurricanes to three straight bowl games during his tenure as head coach. These bowl games were the 2019 Walk-On’s Independence, 2020 Cheez-It, and 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun bowl.


“We are grateful and humbled for this opportunity, and we could not be more excited to be the head football coach at Duke University,” Diaz said. “I would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Price and Nina for their trust in me and our family as well as their true commitment to this program. Duke is an elite institution in every aspect, and we are excited to be a part of it. I am very excited to get to work.”


During his time in Happy Valley under coach James Franklin, Diaz helped the Nittany Lions to a 21-4 (.840) record and back-to-back appearances, including a 35-21 Rose Bowl win over No. 8 Utah to cap the 2022 season. .

Since 2016, Diaz’s defenses have been a force behind the line of scrimmage in the top 10 nationally in tackles for loss each year No. 2 in 2023 (8.4), No. 5 in 2022 (8.0 per game), No. 2 in 2023 ( 8.4), No. 5 in 2022 (8.0 per game), No. 2 in 2023 (8.4). 9th place in 2021 (7.75), 4th place in 2020 (8.6), 4th place in 2019 (8.3), 1st place in 2018 (10.5), 4th place in 2017 (8.5), 5th place in 2016 (8.3).


The 2022 Broyles Award semifinalist helped propel Penn State’s defense into one of the best units in the country. During that two-year span, the Nittany Lions ranked in the top 25 in third down defense, fumble recoveries, pass interceptions, rush defense, defense scoring, sacks, tackles for loss, total defense, turnover margin and turnovers gained. Additionally, Penn State ranks first in the country in first-pass defense (151), third in passing yards allowed (153.60) and eighth in passing efficiency defense (109.34) this season, while its 223.20 total yards allowed per game is industry-leading. Currently nationwide. as the lowest single-season mark in the FBS since Alabama’s mark of 183.60 in 2011.


During his short tenure with the Nittany Lions, Diaz oversaw 23 All-Big Ten selections, including four first-team receivers. On an individual level, Diaz played a role in the development of linebacker Abdel Carter, who was tagged as a second-team all-rounder They ran out Freshman All-American and finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award as a true freshman before earning first-team All-Big Ten nods this season.


Prior to his time at Penn State, Diaz spent six seasons at Miami, three as head coach (2019-21) and three as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2016-18). During his time at the helm, he coached the Hurricanes to three straight bowl games and tied for the second-most wins by an ACC team in the league, trailing only Clemson.


Miami’s 2021 team finished the regular season by winning five of its last six games, including victories over Top 20 opponents in No. 18 NC State and No. 17 Pittsburgh. Additionally, Diaz guided rookie quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to the ACC Rookie of the Year award. The 2020 Hurricanes finished 8-3 (7-2 ACC) overall, marking the second time with Diaz on the staff and also the second time in program history that Miami has won seven ACC games. This team finished the year 18th in the final College Football Playoff rankings.


Prior to taking over as head coach, Diaz ran a Hurricane defensive unit that ranked fourth nationally in total defense (278.90) in 2018, while also finishing that season ranked first in tackles-for-loss (10.5 per game), and third in third-down conversion defense. (.253) and pass defense (135.60).


From 2018 to 2020, Miami had at least one player who made 15 tackles for loss in Jaylen Phillips (15.5 per game) in 2020, Gregory Rousseau (19.5 per game) in 2019, and Jonathan Garvin (18.0 per game) in 2018. And it all went on to be NFL draft picks at the conclusion of their careers in Miami.


During the 2017 campaign, the Hurricanes ranked first nationally in sacks (3.38 per game), fourth in tackles for loss (8.5 per game), eighth in fumble recoveries (14) and 15th in interceptions (17). Additionally, Miami won the 2017 ACC Coast Sectional and earned a spot in The Capital One Orange Bowl.


Diaz joined Mark Richt’s staff at Miami as defensive coordinator in 2016 and helped the Hurricanes rank fifth nationally in tackles for loss (up from 105th in 2015), and tied for eighth in touchdowns allowed (up from 61st ), ninth in yards allowed per game (up from 86th), 12th in scoring defense (up from 77th), 20th in total defense (up from 69th) and 22nd in sacks (up from 70th).


Prior to his tenure in Coral Gables, Diaz served as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State for the 2015 season, where the 9-4 Bulldogs capped the year with a 51-28 win over NC State. The Bulldogs limited opponents to just 23.2 points per game that season and ranked in the top 10 in the country in red zone defense and tackles for loss.


Prior to Mississippi State, Diaz served as defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech, where he helped guide the 2014 Bulldogs to a nation-best 42 TDs, including an impressive 26 interceptions. Prior to arriving at Louisiana Tech, he served as the defensive coordinator and running backs coach at Texas (2011-13) under head coach Mack Brown.


During his first stint at Mississippi State (2010), the Bulldogs ranked 13th nationally in red zone defense (.730), 17th in rushing defense (214.90) and tackles for loss per game (7.0), and 22nd in scoring defense (19.9). and fast food (28).


Diaz also made stops at Middle Tennessee and NC State early in his career. He served as the Blue Raiders’ defensive coordinator for four seasons, while also mentoring linebackers (2008-09) and safeties (2006-07). During his time with the Wolfpack, he was a graduate assistant (2000–01) before being promoted to assistant coach in charge of the linebackers (2002–03) and safeties and special teams (2004–05). Diaz began his coaching career at his alma mater, Florida State (1998-99) as a graduate assistant and was part of the university’s national championship staff in 1999.


A native of Miami, Florida, Diaz graduated from Florida State with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1995.


Diaz is married to the former Stephanie Ciro of Melbourne, Florida, and they have three sons, Colin, Gavin and Manny.


Manny Diaz file
Hometown: Miami, Florida.
Education: Florida State, 1995 (communications)
Wife: Stephanie
Children: Colin, Gavin and Manny
Date of birth: March 13, 1974


Diaz’s coaching career

• 2024 – Duke (head coach)
• 2022-23 – Penn State (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
• 2019-21 – Miami (Head Coach)
• 2016-18 – Miami (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
• 2015 – Mississippi State (defensive coordinator)
• 2014 – Louisiana Tech (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
• 2011-13 – Texans (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
• 2010 – Mississippi State (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
• 2008-09 – Middle Tennessee (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
• 2006-07 – Middle Tennessee (Defensive Coordinator/Safety)
• 2004-05 – NC State (Security/Special Teams)
• 2002-03 – NC State (Lineback)
• 2000-01 – NC State (Graduate Assistant)
• 1998-99 – Florida State (graduate assistant)

Postseason experience

• 2023 – Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – Pennsylvania#^
• 2022 – Rose Bowl – Penn State^
• 2021 – Tony Tiger Sun Bowl – Miami (Florida) #
• 2020 – Cheez-It Bowl – Miami (Florida)
• 2019 – Walk-On’s Independence Bowl – Miami (Florida)
• 2018 – New Era Pinstripe Bowl – Miami (Florida) ^
• 2017 – The Capital One Orange Bowl – Miami (Florida) ^
• 2016 – Russell Athletic Bowl – Miami (Florida) ^
• 2015 – Belk Bowl – Mississippi State^
• 2014 – Zaxby’s upset in Dallas Bowl – Louisiana Tech^
• 2013 – Valero Alamo Bowl – Texas ^
• 2012 – Valero Alamo Bowl – Texas ^
• 2011 – Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl – Texas^
• 2010 – Progressive Gator Bowl – Mississippi State^
• 2009 – R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl – Middle Tennessee^
• 2006 – Motor City Bowl – Middle Tennessee^
• 2005 – Meineke Car Care Bowl – NC State
• 2003 – Mazda Tangerine Bowl – NC State
• 2002 – Toyota Gator Bowl – NC State
• 2001 – Visit Florida Tangerine Bowl – NC State
• 2000 – MicronPC.com Bowl – NC State
• 1999 – Nokia Sugar Bowl (BCS National Championship Game) – Florida State
• 1998 – Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (BCS National Championship Game) – Florida State

# Will/did not coach in the bowl game
^Refers to defensive coordinator

#GoDuke