Manny Diaz Named Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach at Penn State

Manny Diaz is going on the defensive

Penn State has announced the hiring of the 47-year-old Cuban American college football coach, the former Miami Hurricanes coach, as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Manny DiazDiaz replaces Brent Pry, who was announced as Virginia Tech‘s new head coach on November 30 after eight seasons at Penn State, including six as defensive coordinator.

“We are thrilled to add Manny Diaz as our defensive coordinator,” Penn State coach James Franklin said in a statement. “Manny is a veteran defensive play caller whose head coaching experience will bring tremendous value to our organization. … Manny’s defensive philosophy is in line with our scheme and will help in the transition with our current team.”

Diaz was fired by Miami on Monday after three years on the job. After weeks of speculation, he was replaced by Oregon Ducks coach Mario Cristobal, who played for the Hurricanes and served as an assistant under Larry Coker.

“The opportunity to lead Linebacker U is an honor and I will work every day to uphold that tradition,” Diaz said in a statement. “Penn State’s defense has been among the nation’s best, both historically and under Coach Franklin. 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.”

Diaz was 21-15 in his three seasons at Miami after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator under Mark Richt.

He also has served on staffs at Mississippi StateLouisiana TechTexasMiddle Tennessee, NC State and Florida State during his 24 years of college coaching.

University of Oregon Offers Mario Cristobal an “Aggressive” Contract Extension

The University of Oregon doesn’t want to lose Mario Cristobal

The university has reported the 51-year-old Cuban-American football coach a contract extension in hopes of keeping him in Eugene, according to ESPN.

Mario CristobalThere’s increasing talk that Cristobal would be the main target at the University of Miami if the Hurricanes fire Manny Diaz.

Cristobal, a Miami native, played and coached at Miami. As a player, he won two national championships with the Hurricanes.

Sources told ESPN that this latest extension was “aggressive” and would be in the range of some of the other deals struck during this hiring cycle.

In his fourth season at Oregon, Cristobal has already received extensions two of the past three seasons. Last December, Cristobal received a new six-year, $27.3 million deal taking him through the 2025 season.

Counting incentives, including a Pac-12 championship, he could earn more than $5.5 million this season.

Oregon faces University of Utah on Friday night in the Pac-12 championship game.

Cristobal would owe Oregon a $9 million buyout if he leaves for another school before January 14.

The Oregonian first reported that Cristobal had a contract extension offer in front of him.