MANNY DIAZ IS GOING BACK TO THE “U”

Annie, your Dad is going to have to pick another one it’s just that no one thought it would be this soon.

Temple fans were upset when Geoff Collins left the school for his “dream job” at Georgia Tech leaving behind his staff under interim head coach Ed Foley to guide the Owls through the Walk On’s Independence Bowl – which the Owls lost to Duke 56-27. At least, they got 25 games out of Collins, the man hired to replace him – former University of Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz – won’t coach one game for the Cherry and White because he’s the new head coach at the University of Miami.

In a stunning turn of events, three days after Miami lost to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl, Mark Richt announced his retirement after three seasons leading the Hurricanes. Less then 12 hours after that news, came the news that Diaz, a Miami native, would take over the program after having spent 17 days as Temple head coach.

“Miami is home. The University of Miami is home. The U has truly been ‘the job’ for me since I first got into coaching,” said Diaz. “Having worked here over the past three years, I came to understand what it means to be part of ‘The U’ and came to appreciate the passion and commitment to excellence of all who proudly call themselves Canes. We will restore the football program to its place among the nation’s elite and we will do it with hard work, dedicated coaches, and outstanding student-athletes.”

Miami Director of Athletics Blake James thanked Temple for, “understanding how important this decision is to Manny and his family.”

Added Diaz, “as excited as I am about staying home, I hate the way this unfolded with respect to Temple. I was given a tremendous opportunity to lead the Temple program and I was actively engaged in doing just that when I woke up this morning. I never saw this coming, no one did. I do hope that the Temple players, administration and fans appreciate the uniqueness of this situation and the overwhelming pull to stay home.”

“Manny Diaz called to inform me that he has accepted the head coaching position back at the University of Miami. We are disappointed that he is leaving, but wish him the best as he returns home,” said Temple Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft in a statement released by the school.

“We have already launched a national search for a new head football coach and I am confident that we will bring yet another outstanding head coach to North Broad Street. Our student-athletes deserve excellence and stability and we are searching for the coach who can deliver on both.

“We are moving forward the only way we know how: Temple Tough.”

Annie is Kraft’s daughter and at Diaz’s introductory press conference, Kraft mentioned that she told him to, “just pick a good one.”

It’s advise he’ll have to follow again.