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Penn State assistant coach linked to potential head coach openings
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Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz could be a big part of the upcoming coaching carousel, according to a report.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg broke down several assistant coaches nationally who could be on the radar to be a head coach after this season. Diaz, who was previously the head coach at Miami, made the cut.
Rittenberg categorized Diaz as coordinator who is “generating interest.” Here’s some analysis on Diaz’s potential head coaching candidacy:
When Diaz took the Penn State job after three years as Miami’s head coach, there was a sense it wouldn’t take long for him to have another chance at leading his own program. He went 21-15 at Miami with three bowl appearances and was ousted only when the school realized it could hire Mario Cristobal. Diaz oversees a PSU defense loaded with future NFL talent, which leads the nation in fewest yards allowed (210.6 YPG) and ranks second in fewest points allowed (9.6 PPG). Bigger tests await, namely Ohio State and Michigan, but Diaz has reestablished himself as a coach to watch. The 49-year-old had not worked in the Big Ten before, which adds to his geographically diverse profile.
Diaz has done well as Penn State’s defensive coordinator. The Nittany Lions have continues to recruit at an elite level and they’ve also produced results on the field in Diaz’s two years with the program.
So far in 2023, Penn State’s defense has limited opponents to just 3.79 yards per play — by far the best mark of any Big Ten team.
Diaz went 21-15 in three seasons as Miami’s head coach.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.