Diaz named defensive coordinator for football
Manny Diaz
Manny Diaz, a nine-year veteran defensive coordinator who spearheaded Louisiana Tech into one of the nation’s elite units in 2014, has been named defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, head coach Dan Mullen announced last week.
“Manny’s experience and development of players speaks for itself,” said Mullen. “When you look at the number of players he has helped reach the NFL, it’s a testament to his abilities. We pride ourselves on playing great defense at Mississippi State. He’s always had outstanding relationships with players, and I know he will excel in this role as part of the Bulldog family.”
Diaz brings an impressive resume to Starkville that includes more than 15 years of collegiate experience and 13 bowl appearances. In addition to resurrecting Louisiana Tech this past season, the 40-year-old was the leader of one of the all-time great defenses in Mississippi State history.
As defensive coordinator of the Bulldogs in 2010, he coached 10 players who eventually signed NFL contracts, including six of which are in the 2015 NFL Playoffs. All four of the former MSU linebackers currently on NFL rosters were coached by Diaz.
In 2015, Diaz will serve as MSU linebackers coach in addition to his role as defensive play-caller. The three-year deal is worth $1.8 million. Diaz will be paid $575,000 his first year, $600,000 in 2016 and $625,000 in 2017, and a buyout is included in the contract.
“I want to thank Dan (Mullen) and Scott (Stricklin) for this opportunity," said Diaz. "When you look at the new standard Mississippi State has set and the national prominence that has come with the accomplishments of 2014, we want to continue to raise the bar here. This is a tremendous place to develop players on and off the field and ultimately compete for championships. I am thrilled to be a part of the Mississippi State family and can’t wait to get to work on the 2015 season.”
Diaz’ one season in Ruston was felt in a big way, mainly by opposing teams’ offenses. In 2014, Louisiana Tech led the nation in turnovers gained (40) with 15 fumble recoveries and 25 interceptions. The Bulldogs also managed to force at least three turnovers in eight of their 14 games played. Diaz led Tech to nine top 25 defensive rankings nationally.
Diaz helped Louisiana Tech double its win total from the previous year, as well as make the program’s first appearance in a Conference USA Championship Game on Dec. 6 opposite Marshall after clinching the C-USA West Division the week prior. The Bulldogs finished the 2014 campaign with nine wins after a 35-18 victory over Illinois in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl at the Cotton Bowl.
Diaz spent nearly three seasons as defensive coordinator at Texas prior to his stint at Louisiana Tech.
In 2010 with Mississippi State, Diaz guided a defense that ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring defense (19.9 ppg), 17th in rushing defense (214.9 ypg) and 17th in tackles for loss (7.0 pg). That was a dramatic turnaround for MSU from the season prior to his arrival. In 2009, the defense finished 71st in scoring defense, 62nd in rushing defense and 89th in TFL. MSU also finished ranked 13th in red-zone defense (.73) and 22nd in turnovers forced (28) nationally in 2010.
The 2010 defense held seven opponents to 20 points or fewer, while four players were selected in the NFL Draft that spring including K.J. Wright (Seattle), Pernell McPhee (Baltimore) and Chris White (Buffalo). Wright has since blossomed into one of the elite linebackers in the league and won a Super Bowl.
Mississippi State’s nine wins in 2010 were the most for the school since a 10-2 record in 1999 and was just the second winning season for the program since 2001. The Bulldogs finished ranked No. 15/17, its highest final ranking since 1999 (No. 13/12).
Diaz began his coaching career at Florida State in 1998, working alongside defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews for two seasons. During his stint, the Seminoles won a national championship in 1999 and were national runners-up in 1998.
He worked at ESPN from 1995 to 1997 after earning his B.S. in communications from FSU, and in high school, he was a Miami Herald Honorable Mention All-Dade County Scholar-Athlete for football, basketball and baseball in 1991.
The Miami native is married to the former Stephanie Cerow and they have three sons, Colin, Gavin and Manny.
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