Manny Diaz watches over Miami's bowl game practice, Dec. 18, 2018, in Coral Gables, Florida.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – It took only a few hours for the University of Miami to find its new head coach as the school named former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to the position Sunday night.
Diaz, 44, will stay at Miami, just weeks after being named the head coach at Temple.
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"Miami is home. The University of Miami is home. 'The U' has truly been the job for me since I first got into coaching," Diaz in a statement. "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 moved quickly to replace Mark Richt after his shocking announcement to retire was made public Sunday morning. Hurricanes athletic director Blake James had said UM would conduct a national search for its next coach.
However, the national search didn't lead very far, as James found his candidate from the Miami family.
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Howard Schnellenberger (1979-83) Record: 41-16 Previous Job: Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator. Best Remembered: Leading Hurricanes to first-ever national championship in 1983 after 31-30 win against Nebraska in Orange Bowl. Reason For Leaving: To become head coach of failed USFL franchise.Jimmy Johnson (1984-88) Record: 52-9 Previous Job: Oklahoma State head coach. Best Remembered: Leading 1987 Hurricanes to first undefeated season in school history after beating Oklahoma 20-14 in Orange Bowl. Reason For Leaving: To become head coach of NFL's Dallas Cowboys.Dennis Erickson (1989-94) Record: 63-9 Previous Job: Washington State head coach. Best Remembered: Leading Hurricanes to 1989 national championship and split title with Washington in 1991. Reason For Leaving: To become head coach of NFL's Seattle Seahawks.Butch Davis (1995-2000) Record: 51-20 Previous Job: Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator under Jimmy Johnson. Best Remembered: Leading Hurricanes through probation period, culminating with victory over top-ranked Florida State, Sugar Bowl win against Florida and No. 2 overall final ranking in 2000. Reason For Leaving: To become head coach of NFL's Cleveland Browns.Larry Coker (2001-06) Record: 60-15 Previous Job: Hurricanes offensive coordinator under Butch Davis. Best Remembered: Leading Hurricanes to their last national championship in his first season after beating Nebraska in Rose Bowl. Reason For Leaving: Fired after .500 finish to 2006 regular season, but coached Hurricanes to 21-20 MPC Computers Bowl win against Nevada.Randy Shannon (2007-10) Record: 28-22 Previous Job: Broyles Award winner as Hurricanes defensive coordinator under Larry Coker. Best Remembered: Leading Hurricanes to No. 19 final ranking in 2009 after Miami started season 3-1 against ranked opponents, including wins at Florida State and at home against Oklahoma. Reason For Leaving: Fired after season-ending loss to South Florida at home in 2010.Al Golden (2011-15) Record: 32-25 Previous Job: Temple head coach. Best Remembered: Leading Hurricanes to 7-0 start and No. 7 ranking before 41-14 loss at third-ranked Florida State in 2013. Reason For Leaving: Fired after 58-0 loss to Clemson in October 2015.Mark Richt (2016-18) Record: 26-13 Previous Job: Georgia head coach. Best Remembered: Leading Hurricanes to 10-0 start, snapping seven-game losing streak to rival Florida State and winning first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division championship in 2017. Reason For Leaving: Retirement after Hurricanes regressed to 7-6 finish, including 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in Pinstripe Bowl, in 2018.
Howard Schnellenberger (1979-83) Record: 41-16 Previous Job: Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator. Best Remembered: Leading Hurricanes to first-ever national championship in 1983 after 31-30 win against Nebraska in Orange Bowl. Reason For Leaving: To become head coach of failed USFL franchise.
"Manny is one of the nation's elite coaches and the 'Canes family has already embraced him and his incredible work ethic over the past three years," James said. "He is absolutely the passionate and innovative leader that our program needs, and we will work together to build an incredible staff to move our program back into championship contention."
After being named the Temple head coach, Diaz remained at Miami as the team prepared for its eventual 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl. Reports are that Miami will pay Temple the $4 million buyout owed on Diaz's contract, despite him never having coached a game for the Owls.
"We are disappointed that he is leaving, but wish him the best as he returns home," Temple athletic director Dr. Patrick Kraft said.
A South Florida native, Diaz returned to Miami as the 'Canes defensive coordinator in 2016 and led the unit to massive success. In his first season at UM, he was named a finalist for the Broyles Award given to the top assistant coach in the country.
The Hurricanes were ranked No. 2 in total defense in 2018.
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