STARKVILLE — In an effort to take his team forward, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen decided Monday to take a step backward.
To do that, Mullen reached back four years and re-hired Manny Diaz as MSU’s new defensive coordinator. Diaz held the position when MSU went 9-4 in 2010.
Diaz, a nine-year veteran defensive coordinator, left MSU to take the same position at the University of Texas following MSU’s 52-14 victory against Michigan in January 2011. Four years later, he returns to lead MSU’s defense again. Diaz will replace Geoff Collins, who left MSU last month to become the defensive coordinator at Florida.
“Manny’s experience and development of players speaks for itself,” Mullen said in a statement released by MSU. “When you look at the number of players he has helped reach the NFL, it’s a testament to his abilities. We pride ourselves on playing great defense at Mississippi State. He’s always had outstanding relationships with players, and I know he will excel in this role as part of the Bulldog family.”
In 2010, Diaz’s defense at MSU finished 22nd in the country in scoring defense and helped MSU to nine wins for the first time under Mullen. That year, the Bulldogs held Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and Auburn to 17 points, by far the lowest total of the season for the Tigers. Diaz also coached 10 future NFL players in 2010, a list that included defensive lineman Fletcher Cox and defensive back Johnthan Banks.
After a disappointing stint at Texas, Diaz landed at Louisiana Tech, where he helped the Bulldogs rank among the nation’s leaders in several defensive categories this season. Louisiana Tech’s defense led the country in interceptions (26) and finished No. 2 nationally in tackles for loss (114).
The play of the defense helped Louisiana Tech double its win total from the previous year and helped it clinch the Conference USA Western Division title and secure the program’s first appearance in the C-USA Championship Game on Dec. 6 opposite Marshall. Louisiana Tech (9-5) beat Illinois 35-18 in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl at the Cotton Bowl.
Diaz coached seven all-conference defensive selections for Louisiana Tech. Xavier Woods earned first-team accolades, and Houston Bates received second-team honors. Tony Johnson, Terrell Pinson, Kentrell Brice, Adairius Barnes, and Le’Vander Liggins each earned honorable mention All-C-USA honors under Diaz’s guidance. Diaz’s unit was the fourth most improved in the country. Louisiana Tech ranked 63rd in the nation in total defense in 2013 prior to his arrival. It allowed an average of 408.2 yards per game.
“I want to thank Dan (Mullen) and (MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin) for this opportunity,” Diaz said in a statement released by MSU. “When you look at the new standard Mississippi State has set and the national prominence that has come with the accomplishments of 2014, we want to continue to raise the bar here.”
In 2014, MSU won 10 regular-season games for the first time in school history and qualified for the school’s first Orange Bowl since 1941. But a defense that led the Southeastern Conference in sacks and tackles for loss midway through the season tapered off and allowed 31 points to Ole Miss in an Egg Bowl loss and 49 points to Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
MSU finished the season 87th nationally in total defense and 117th in passing defense (272 yards per game).
Diaz will inherit a defense that likely will return three starters next season if junior linebacker Benardrick McKinney enters the NFL draft as expected. Still, with Collins employing liberal substitution patterns he dubbed MSU’s “1A” and “1B” defenses, MSU will return a number of players with experience, including linebacker Beniquez Brown and defensive tackle Chris Jones, a former five-star recruit from Houston.
The Bulldogs also will return cornerbacks Will Redmond and Taveze Calhoun and starting defensive end Ryan Brown and backup linebacker Richie Brown.
“This is a tremendous place to develop players on and off the field and ultimately compete for championships,” Diaz said. “I am thrilled to be a part of the Mississippi State family and can’t wait to get to work on the 2015 season.”
In 2015, Diaz will serve as MSU linebackers’ coach in addition to his role as defensive play-caller. The three-year deal is worth $1.8 million. Diaz will be paid $575,000 his first year, $600,000 in 2016, and $625,000 in 2017, and a buyout is included in the contract.
Diaz also was MSU’s linebackers’ coach during his first stint in Starkville. In that time, he coached all four MSU linebackers in the NFL — K.J. Wright, Seattle; Cam Lawrence, Dallas; Jamar Chaney, Carolina; Chris White, free agent.
Diaz began his coaching career in 1998 at Florida State, where he worked with defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews for two seasons. During that stint, the Seminoles won a national championship in 1999 and were national runners-up in 1998.
Diaz spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons at North Carolina State as a graduate assistant working primarily with the linebackers. During that time, the Wolfpack went to two bowl games and became the first Atlantic Coast Conference team to beat FSU in Tallahassee, Florida. He coached linebackers for the Wolfpack in 2002 and 2003 before leading the safeties for the next two seasons.
Prior to arriving in Starkville the first time, Diaz was the defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State for three seasons.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brandon Walker on Twitter @BWonStateBeat
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