Texas DC Diaz takes a unique approach

Posted by bobounds on April 13, 2011 in College football, Dan Mullen, Manny Diaz, Texas Comments Off

Texas DC Diaz takes a unique approach

Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, like millions of others, read Moneyball after it was released in 2003. The book followed Billy Bean and the Oakland Athletics’ approach to advanced statistics.
However, unlike most, Diaz tried to extrapolate what was in the book to the football field , writes colleague Bruce Feldman.

“You can’t read that and not try and find some ways that can relate back to our game,” he said.

espn.com
4/13/11

Behind the scenes of Mack Brown’s overhaul of UT staff

Posted by bobounds on January 9, 2011 in Mack Brown, Manny Diaz, Texas Comments Off

Behind the scenes of Mack Brown’s overhaul of UT staff

New Texas football hires Manny Diaz and Bryan Harsin waited about three minutes into Friday’s lunch with Mack Brown to start talking business. Barbecue took a back seat to strategy and serious planning of spring practice. Ideas bounced around the table between Diaz, the incoming defensive coordinator, and Harsin, his offensive counterpart.

The youthful energy was exactly the byproduct Brown envisioned when he overhauled his staff after a 5-7 disappointment in 2010. People who wondered if Brown still retained the will to do what was necessary received their answer.

dallasnews.com
1/9/11

Diaz moving on not all bad for MSU

Posted by ccv on January 7, 2011 in Manny Diaz, Mississippi State Comments Off

“There’s no one size fits all. Everybody has different situations, different circumstances in their life.”

Stricklin also wants MSU coaches to have the chance to move on to other programs, if that’s their desire. He wants MSU’s coaches to be wanted.

So Stricklin has no problem with, say, receivers coach Mark Hudspeth leaving last month to become head coach at Louisiana-Lafayette.

He slowed down Cam Newton, now can Manny Diaz save Longhorns?

Posted by ccv on January 6, 2011 in Manny Diaz, Mississippi State Comments Off

Once again, Texas football coach Mack Brown has turned to the Southeastern Conference for a young, aggressive coordinator to lead his defense.

Manny Diaz, 36, joined the Longhorns’ staff Wednesday as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, the same positions he held at Mississippi State. He replaces Will Muschamp, who left to become the head coach at Florida.

“Texas is a place … that is always one of the first mentioned among the best jobs out there,” Diaz said.

Read more of “He slowed down Cam Newton, now can Diaz ‘D’ save Longhorns?” on DallasNews.com
1.5.11

UPDATE: Manny Diaz talks about his new position as DC for Texas

Posted by ccv on January 5, 2011 in Featured, Manny Diaz, Mississippi State 1 comment

Diaz repeatedly stressed that he didn’t go seeking the Texas job.

“Dan Mullen is the reason why I have this job because he brought me from the Sun Belt to the SEC and gave me a chance to do what I do on the big stage,” Diaz said. “… The most heartbreaking part about leaving Mississippi State is the people,” Diaz said.

Diaz, who made a $260,000 salary at Mississippi State, wouldn’t disclose details of his agreement with Texas.

MSU’s Diaz to Texas “close to a done deal”

Posted by ccv on January 5, 2011 in Manny Diaz, Mississippi State Comments Off

Diaz and his wife were both on the Texas campus yesterday spending time with Mack Brown and his wife.

According to the site:

“Two sources indicated to us on Tuesday that they feel Diaz was offered the UT defensive coordinator position, and though neither had heard direct confirmation from Diaz or anyone at UT, they both felt like Diaz to Texas was close to a done deal.”

Dogs’ defensive coordinator reportedly interviews in Austin as possible successor to Muschamp

Posted by ccv on January 5, 2011 in Manny Diaz, Mississippi State Comments Off

When Mississippi State announced a new four-year, $10.6 million contract for head coach Dan Mullen last week, many Bulldog fans thought they wouldn’t have to sweat out whether success would cost them a coach.

Not so fast.

On Tuesday, Mississippi State fans worried about the status of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who was reported to have been in Austin, Texas, interviewing for the same job at Texas.

Mack Brown meets with Mississippi State defensive coordinator

Posted by ccv on January 4, 2011 in Manny Diaz, Mississippi State Comments Off

The plot continues to thicken.

Orangebloods.com is reporting today that Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is on campus right now meeting with Mack Brown about the open position at Texas.

The Mississippi State Sports Information Department did not comment on the situation, according to the Orangebloods report.

So….what do we know about Manny Diaz and Texas?

Posted by ccv on January 4, 2011 in Manny Diaz, Mississippi State Comments Off

The Austin (TX) American-Statesman has reported today that Diaz has flown to Austin this morning and is meeting with UT officials to discuss the opening at Texas.

12:15 UPDATE: The SDN Bulldog Blog has learned a Learjet departed from Bryan Field in Starkville at 8:37 a.m. today & landed at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 10:10 a.m.

MSU officials are refusing to comment on whether or not Diaz was on that flight.