What James Franklin, Manny Diaz said about their Penn State partnership
Manny Diaz is James Franklin’s pick to be the new defensive coordinator at Penn State.
The former Miami coach and longtime college football defensive coordinator was announced as the replacement for Brent Pry on Saturday. He is expected to start recruiting immediately but will likely not have any role in the Lions’ Outback Bowl matchup with Arkansas on New Year’s Day.
Franklin and Diaz both released statements about the hiring. It came 11 days after Pry was announced as the next Virginia Tech head coach. That timeline falls right around the average number of days that Franklin has taken to make a hire in the past.
What James Franklin said about hiring Manny Diaz as Penn State’s next defensive coordinator
“We are thrilled to add Manny Diaz as our defensive coordinator,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “Manny is a veteran defensive play caller whose head coaching experience will bring tremendous value to our organization. He has an innovative approach to complement his extensive Xs & Os knowledge which he developed through his stops at multiple Power Five conferences.
“Manny’s defensive philosophy is in line with our scheme and will help in the transition with our current team. His defenses have been aggressive and led the country in several categories throughout his career. We are excited to have Manny and his family join us in Happy Valley!”
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What Manny Diaz said
“My family and I are so excited to come to Happy Valley and join the Penn State family,” new Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “The opportunity to lead Linebacker U is an honor and I will work every day to uphold that tradition. Penn State’s defense has been among the nation’s best, both historically and under Coach Franklin.
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“I will continue to pursue excellence with our defensive unit on a daily basis. I can’t wait to get on the field with this talented group, to get to know them, and to ultimately develop them as football players, students and young men. Penn State’s fans are the best in the country, and I look forward to seeing them this fall in Beaver Stadium!”
Related: Five things to know about new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz
The Diaz coaching file
Here is the compilation, courtesy of Penn State Athletics:
Year at Penn State: First
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Education: Florida State, 1995 – B.A. Communications
Family: Wife: Stephanie; Sons: Colin, Gavin, Manny
Coaching Career
2022-pres. – Penn State (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
2019-21 – Miami (head coach)
2016-18 – Miami (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
2015 – Mississippi State (defensive coordinator)
2014 – Louisiana Tech (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
2011-13 – Texas (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
2010 – Mississippi State (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
2008-09 – Middle Tennessee (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
2006-07 – Middle Tennessee (defensive coordinator/safeties)
2004-05 – NC State (safeties/special teams)
2002-03 – NC State (linebackers)
2000-01 – NC State (graduate assistant)
1998-99 – Florida State (graduate assistant)
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