There was a bit of a plot twist in the college football coaching game on Sunday, and it started when the Miami Hurricanes' unexpectedly opened up with Mark Richt retiring on Sunday morning. Less than 24 hours later Miami found his replacement in Manny Diaz, who agreed to become their head coach on Sunday night. This news comes just two weeks after Diaz agreed to take the Temple head coaching job, as the former Miami defensive coordinator took that gig on December 13th.
Diaz reportedly spoke with the school about returning shortly after Richt's announcement, as he has spent the past three seasons under the now former head coach. He had agreed to a five-year contract, which included a $4 million buyout if he chose a different position, which he did. He had already gone off to work with the Owls after the end of the regular season, and only returned for Miami's Pinstripe Bowl matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers.
Diaz has been known as Miami's top recruiters in the past, which made the Hurricanes' decision very easy to keep him in. Temple athletic director Patrick Kraft released a statement saying "we are disappointed that he is leaving, but wish him the best as he returns home." The 44-year-old is from Miami, Florida, and is the son of the mayor of Miami. He did not go to school at "The U," but was not too far off at Florida State.
This will be Diaz's first stint as a head coach, but he does have experience on the sidelines. He had two stints with Mississippi State as their defensive coordinator, while doing the same at Texas, Middle Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech. Diaz even held a job at ESPN for a short time before doing all of that, and he already has the respect of the Miami players, including running back Camron Davis, who said "I give this coach all my respect."
Diaz reportedly spoke with the school about returning shortly after Richt's announcement, as he has spent the past three seasons under the now former head coach. He had agreed to a five-year contract, which included a $4 million buyout if he chose a different position, which he did. He had already gone off to work with the Owls after the end of the regular season, and only returned for Miami's Pinstripe Bowl matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers.
Diaz has been known as Miami's top recruiters in the past, which made the Hurricanes' decision very easy to keep him in. Temple athletic director Patrick Kraft released a statement saying "we are disappointed that he is leaving, but wish him the best as he returns home." The 44-year-old is from Miami, Florida, and is the son of the mayor of Miami. He did not go to school at "The U," but was not too far off at Florida State.
This will be Diaz's first stint as a head coach, but he does have experience on the sidelines. He had two stints with Mississippi State as their defensive coordinator, while doing the same at Texas, Middle Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech. Diaz even held a job at ESPN for a short time before doing all of that, and he already has the respect of the Miami players, including running back Camron Davis, who said "I give this coach all my respect."
