Manny Diaz (American football)
Diaz is a graduate of Florida State University, where he joined the Gamma Rho chapter of Theta Chi fraternity.
[3] Diaz began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Florida State University in 1998, working alongside defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews for two seasons.
Diaz played a major role for one of the country's top-ranked defenses by coaching safeties in 2004 and 2005 and handling the linebackers in 2002 and 2003 for the NC State Wolfpack.
The 2005 NC State Wolfpack football team finished eighth nationally in total defense, sixth in third-down percentage, and twelfth in scoring defense en route to a 7–5 record and a shutout win over the South Florida Bulls in the 2005 Meineke Car Care Bowl.
In 2002, his first year as a full-time coach, Diaz helped the Wolfpack to one of their best seasons ever, finishing 11–3 and defeating Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl.
In four years under Diaz, the Middle Tennessee defense led its conference in sacks and tackles for loss twice, and finished no lower than third in the league in either category during his tenure.
In 2009, the Blue Raiders finished second nationally in tackles for loss, stopping more than eight and a half plays per game behind the line of scrimmage.
Also in 2009, Diaz tutored defensive end Chris McCoy who was tabbed the Sun Belt Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Safety Jeremy Kellem and cornerbacks Alex Suber and Marcus Udell were also named first team all-SBC.
Defensive end Jamari Lattimore along with linebackers Cam Robinson and Danny Carmichael earned second-team honors.
Overall, Diaz' unit produced 17 all-conference players during his time there and put up three of the top four fewest yards allowed averages at Middle Tennessee in its FBS era.
On September 7, 2013, the Longhorns' defense, under Diaz, gave up a school record 550 yards rushing to Brigham Young University, including 257 to quarterback Taysom Hill.
[5] In Diaz's lone season as defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs led FBS in turnovers gained (42) with 16 fumble recoveries and 26 interceptions.
[7] Diaz spent the 2015 season with the Bulldogs, where his unit held opponents to 23.2 points per game and ranked in the nation’s top 10 in red zone defense and tackles for loss.
Citing a need for his defense to create more turnovers, the chain became a frenzy as Miami opened the 2017 season 10-0 and won the ACC Coastal Division for the first time.
Diaz replaced long-time defensive coordinator Brent Pry after his departure to become head coach at Virginia Tech.
His father Manuel Diaz formerly served as the mayor of Miami, FL and chair of the Florida Democratic Party.
