Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz nominated for Broyles Award
Penn State assistant Manny Diaz is one of 51 coaches nominated for the Broyles Award. The annual honor recognizes the top coordinator in the country.
Diaz is in his first season with the Nittany Lions. His defense ranks in the middle of the pack statistically in the Big Ten. But, it has been a driving force in the team’s 8-2 record so far and just pitched a shutout last Saturday when Penn State topped Maryland 30-0 at Beaver Stadium.
“We were able to get tackles for loss,” head coach James Franklin said after the win. “We were able to get sacks, and were able to get them off schedule; we felt like we had some pretty good matchups. They obviously have some injuries as well. I think those matchups favored us, and we were able to do it.
“The other thing is bigger guys will get more and more comfortable and confident with how we want to play football. To be disruptive and vertical, up the field and through gaps. When you get people off schedule, you’re able to suffocate the run. When you’re able to get tackles for loss and put them in obvious passing situations, that helps as well. On top of that, we’re going to give up a play because of man coverage from time to time. Even without Joey, we were able to play good man coverage.”
The Penn State defense ranks well nationally
The Lions’ defense is No. 12 nationally with just 6.1 yards allowed per completion. It also has the 23rd-best opponent third down conversation rate nationally (32.21 percent) and is 15th in the country in 30-plus yard plays given up with only 13.
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Penn State also has a massive lead in passes defended. The Lions have 79 on the season. Illinois is second with 69, which is the same number of pass breakups PSU has, which also leads the FBS.
Diaz brought an aggressive approach to State College when he was hired to replace Brent Pry. It has worked extremely well, and the players have bought into it. Corner Joey Porter Jr., will be an early NFL Draft pick. And, others from this group will find themselves in the pros moving forward. It is a well-rounded unit that is increasing its sack total weekly while also being incredibly good against the pass.
The Broyles Award semifinalists will be announced Nov. 22. The finalists will be revealed Nov. 29. And, the winner will be shared on Dec. 6.
