STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football head coach Dan Mullen will be looking for a third defensive coordinator in three years.
The University of Miami announced Saturday that its first-year football coach Mark Richt hired Bulldog defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Manny Diaz as the new Hurricane defensive coordinator. Diaz, who spent two stints in Starkville with Mullen, was hired by MSU last January. He replaced Geoff Collins, who left for the defensive coordinator position at the University of Florida.
“Starkville is a special place and I could not be more thankful for the opportunity Mullen and (Director of Athletics) Scott Stricklin gave my family and I,” Diaz said in a Miami release. “The Bulldog fans are like no other and it has been a privilege to be a part of such a great program, university and community. I wish the MSU players, coaches and fans all the best. Their future is bright. We knew it would take a very unique opportunity for us to consider leaving. God blessed me with a chance to return home, to coach in my hometown and to reunite with family. It is the kind of opportunity that comes along rarely in this business. It was simply too good to pass up. I can’t wait to help coach Richt build a championship program at Miami.”
A Miami native, Diaz was on the MSU staff in 2010 before being hired by the University of Texas. He was fired by Texas during the 2013 season and served on the Louisiana Tech staff in 2014. He took over for Collins this past season and told reporters it was the last defensive coordinator job he intended to take. Diaz has also coached at Florida State, North Carolina State and Middle Tennessee State.
Diaz’s father, Manuel Alberto “Manny” Diaz, served as the mayor of Miami from 2001-09.
The Bulldog defense ranked 57th this season by allowing 391.2 yards per game. The 23.2 points per game allowed by MSU was No. 36 in the nation this season.
“I’ve known him for 20 years and I’ve watched him become one of the best defensive minds in the business,” Richt said, who was fired by Georgia this past season. “I’m looking forward to working with Manny.”
Diaz becomes the third assistant to depart the Bulldog staff in the last month. Strength coach Rick Court took the same position at the University of Maryland, while safeties coach/recruiting coordinator Tony Hughes was hired to take over the Jackson State program.
Since Mullen — who interviewed for the head coaching job at Miami — took over in 2009, there have been four different defensive coordinators (Carl Torbush, Diaz, Chris Wilson and Collins).
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
