Manny Diaz calls Penn State's DC job a 'premier' opportunity following stint at Miami
It has been a roller coaster year for Manny Diaz, to say the least. In the end, it sounds like he is thrilled to land at Penn State as James Franklin’s next DC.
In his third season as the head coach at Miami, Diaz found his name attached to a hot seat as results underwhelmed with the Hurricanes. That was not enough for Miami to fire Diaz as his status remained in limbo for the season.
The Hurricanes even courted – and eventually landed – Mario Cristobal as their next head coach before officially firing Diaz. It was an awkward situation for all involved before Diaz hit the open market.
In the end, Penn State hired him to replace Brent Pry who left to take the Virginia Tech head coaching job. On Friday, Diaz called it a premier opportunity to get to lead the Nittany Lion defense.
Diaz says “everything was on the table” after things ended at Miami. “You don’t know where you’re going to go next.” Said Penn State presented a premier defensive coordinator opportunity when James Franklin reached out.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 17, 2021
Diaz: "When you come out of a situation like we came out of at Miami, you don't really know where you're gonna go next…The way that James reached out…If you're talking about premier DC jobs across the country, Penn State is up there with the best of them."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 17, 2021
Diaz also called everything attached to the past month as “a hell of a year.” He went on to share his immediate thoughts on the Nittany Lions, the end of his time at Miami, and the style of defense he will employ in Happy Valley.
Here is a look at what Diaz had to say at his press conference:
Diaz says “everything was on the table” after things ended at Miami. “You don’t know where you’re going to go next.” Said Penn State presented a premier defensive coordinator opportunity when James Franklin reached out.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 17, 2021
“I’d rather remember my time at Miami for the positives,” Manny Diaz says. “I think we did things the right way. I think we left the place in good shape.”
If ever he’s a head coach again, he’ll fall bck on those experiences/lessons. “You don’t get it until you’re in that office”
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) December 17, 2021
Diaz: "More than anything, it still comes down to the toughness, the physicality, the work ethic, the trust… To me all those sort of pillars you need to play great defense."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 17, 2021
Diaz says he's excited to be around "like-minded" people where he can win.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 17, 2021
Manny Diaz mentions some players' roles changing for the bowl game based on personnel/who will and won't be available. Says he's watched two practices here thus far.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) December 17, 2021
Diaz says the few days in which he was hired and got to State College were a "whirlwind."
"This is a unique situation…To get an opportunity and get in here in December and get a feel for the culture of the program."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 17, 2021
Diaz: "I'm excited to coach defensive football at Penn State University. That's fun to say out loud."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 17, 2021
Diaz: "We're gonna be a four-down, attack-style front. That's what they've been, that's what we're gonna be."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 17, 2021
Diaz says the high expectations that come with coaching Penn State's defense don't come as pressure for him.
"To me that's a privilege. That's an opportunity."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) December 17, 2021
