MANNY DIAZ IS GOING BACK TO THE “U”

Temple University has hired Manny Diaz as head football coach. He comes from the University of Miami, where he had served as defensive coordinator for the last three seasons. In total, he has 13 years of experience as a defensive coordinator at the FBS level.

“We are thrilled to have Manny lead our football program,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. “After spending time with him, I understand why he has had tremendous success as a football coach and why his players are so devoted to him. We are in complete alignment about the values on which we run our athletics programs, the high expectations we have for our teams, and how we will conduct ourselves as representatives of Temple University. I am supremely confident that Manny will build on our past success and take us to even greater heights.”

The 44-year old Diaz will look to continue the success the Owls have enjoyed recently; it’s one of the most successful eras in the program’s history. The Owls’ seniors are the program’s winningest class, having accumulated 35 victories in the last four seasons. The team will play its fourth consecutive bowl game when they face Duke University in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl, Dec. 27 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The program has been eligible for bowl appearances in eight of the last 10 seasons.

“The momentum of our football program continues, and I am confident Manny will be dedicated to the team’s success both on the field and in the classroom,” said President Richard M. Englert. “Manny will have amazing student athletes to coach. Our players are enrolled in 39 academic programs, which places them among the national leaders in that category. Their graduation rate has never been higher and the team’s cumulative grade-point average ranks among the best in its conference. In every way, our players continue to be great ambassadors for the university.”
“I am so excited to be in Philly and honored to be the head coach at Temple University,” said Diaz. “I can’t wait to get in front of our Temple TUFF guys and then to get on the road recruiting. I am looking forward to bringing in a great class of guys that want to take Temple to the next level.”

Diaz has served as the defensive coordinator at Miami, Mississippi State University, Louisiana Tech University, the University of Texas, and Middle Tennessee State University.

The Miami native is credited with building one of the top defenses in the nation. In 2016, his first season as Miami’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Diaz was a finalist for the Broyles Award—given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach. His unit that year improved significantly from the previous season to rank 20th nationally in total defense (up from 69th in 2015) and 12th in scoring defense after being 77th the year before.

Continuing the trends from Diaz’s first year, the Hurricanes ranked among the nation’s leaders in several defensive categories in 2017, including first nationally in team sacks, third in tackles for loss, fifth in turnover margin and ninth in opponent yards per play. Thanks in large part to his dominating unit, Miami also ranked fifth nationally in turnover margin, eighth in fumbles recovered and 15th nationally in interceptions.

This season, the Hurricanes ranked second in the nation in total defense, allowing 268.3 yards per game, and led the nation in fewest passing yards allowed (140.8). Miami also allowed just 18.2 points per game, ranking 15th nationally in that category.

Prior to returning home to Miami, where his father Manny Diaz had served as the city’s Mayor, Diaz spent one season at Mississippi State -replacing the man he’s replacing at Temple, Geoff Collins – where his defensive unit helped the Bulldogs to a 9-4 record and a victory over NC State in the Belk Bowl. MSU’s defense held opponents to just 23.2 points per game and ranked in the nation’s top 10 in red zone defense and tackles for loss.

Diaz Coaching Profile
1998–1999 Florida State (GA)
2000–2001 NC State (GA)
2002–2003 NC State (LB)
2004–2005 NC State (S/ST)
2006–2007 Middle Tennessee (DC/S)
2008–2009 Middle Tennessee (DC/LB)
2010 Mississippi State (DC/LB)
2011–2013 Texas (DC/LB)
2014 Louisiana Tech (DC/LB)
2015 Mississippi State (DC/LB)
2016–2018 Miami (FL) (DC/LB)