Manny Diaz to serve as Hurricanes defensive coordinator, plans to go ‘all in’

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 file photo, Miami head coach Manny Diaz calls out a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami coach Manny Diaz told The Associated Press on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020 that he believes the Hurricanes are already better than they were when last season's 6-7 debacle ended. Diaz says the Hurricanes have improved their roster and their coaching staff, both by additions and subtractions. He also drew a parallel to the culture that the Miami Heat have stuck with in their bounceback season this year. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) (Wilfredo Lee, Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Manny Diaz is taking back control of the University of Miami’s defense.

On Wednesday, Diaz officially said that he is taking over as the team’s defensive coordinator.

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Previously, Diaz stripped the play-calling duties from Blake Baker, who left Miami for a job at LSU.

Wednesday, Diaz said, “I’m going to be the defensive coordinator and what I’ve done as defensive coordinator is what I’m going to do. Now I’ve got some great guys on the staff that I can delegate some things to, but for this to work, I’ve got to be able to go all in.”

Diaz said that he introduced his entire new defensive staff to the team on Wednesday, and told the team that he’ll be running the defense.

Diaz said, “Definitely has me excited, definitely has me fired up. Excited to work with this staff, got some really outstanding teachers, some outstanding men, and I think it’s great for our players. I think we’ll have great growth. It’s exciting for everybody to get out of their comfort zone. We’ve got some great experience on the staff, I’m really excited to work with them. Get back to playing defense the way we should be playing defense at the University of Miami.”

As for injured quarterback D’Eriq King, Diaz said he’s so eager to get back and he’s doing whatever he’s allowed to do in his rehab. Coach Diaz said everything has been encouraging so far.

The Hurricanes open the 2021 season against Alabama, the defending National Champions.


About the Author:

David Lang is executive producer of the Local 10 sports department.