Report: North Carolina expected to hire Bob Diaco as linebackers coach
The North Carolina Tar Heels are expected to hire Bob Diaco as their linebackers coach, according to a report on Sunday from Matt Zenitz of 247sports.com. He was on the LSU staff for the last two years, and has also been the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame and Nebraska in the past. He was also the head coach for the UConn Huskies at one point. His record as a head coach was 11-26 in his three years with the Huskies.
A native of New Jersey, Diaco served under Brian Kelly when he was at Central Michigan (2005), Cincinnati (2009), and Notre Dame (2010-2013). In 2005 for Central Michigan, Diaco was the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Chippewas who went 6-5 and had only the second winning season for the team in over a decade.
From 2010-2013, Diaco was known as one of the top defensive coordinators in the country during his time with the Fighting Irish. While in South Bend, Diaco was named as the Broyes Award winner, given to the nation’s top assistant coach in 2012. He was also named a semifinalist for the award in 2011.
Diaco spent two years coaching linebackers and special teams with the Virginia Cavaliers under Al Groh (2006-2008).
Top 10
- 1New
Beck, Cavinder car case
Suspect arrested after theft
- 2
Paul Finebaum
CFB is at very dangerous point
- 3Hot
Bracketology update
No. 1 seeds change in update
- 4
Texas football
Longhorns cancel spring game
- 5
CFP seeding
SEC, Big Ten make hopes clear
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
He’s a college football coaching veteran that has also spent time at such schools as: Iowa (grad assistant), Western Illinois (running backs/special teams), Eastern Michigan (2001-20003), Western Michigan (linebackers/special teams), Oklahoma (linebackers), Louisiana Tech (defensive coordinator/linebackers), and the Purdue Boilermakers (defensive coordinator/linebackers).
As a player, Diaco played his college football with the Iowa Hawkeyes under head coach Hayden Fry. Fry described Diaco as “extremely tough, very intelligent”. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection as a linebacker, earning co-MVP honors in 1995. He started all 23 games his junior and senior seasons. As a senior in 1995, he helped guide Iowa to the 1995 Sun Bowl.
Born in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Diaco is currently 51 years old.