Miami Football DC Manny Diaz close to finalizing Temple HC Job

Miami Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz is close to finalizing a deal to become the Head Coach at Temple. Diaz has been the Hurricanes Defensive Coordinator during all three of Mark Richt’s seasons leading the Miami football program.

Diaz oversaw the Miami football team’s rise to becoming one of the best defenses in the nation. Miami finished second in total defense and first in pass defense, third-down defense and tackles for loss this season. Diaz will succeed Geoff Collins who left Temple to become the Head Coach at Georgia Tech.

The sources are rampant at this point that Diaz accepted the job at Temple. All that needs to be finished is his contact according to multiple sources locally and nationally. Football Scoop originally broke the news on Monday night that Diaz and Texas A&M’s Mike Elko were the leading candidates to lead the Owls.

The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported on Wednesday that Diaz has already informed Miami that Diaz will be taking the job as the Temple Head Football Coach. Elko, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, was Temple’s first choice according to Jackson.

While many Miami football fans have complained via social media that Diaz left because of a rift with Head Coach Mark Richt or he should be paid more that wasn’t the case.

Jackson reported that Diaz was one of the nation’s highest-paid Coordinators and his desire to become a Head Coach is why he made the decision to accept Temple’s offer.

Yahoo College Football writer Pete Thamel reported early on Wednesday morning that Elko had withdrawn his name to be considered as the Head Coach at Temple. Diaz seemed to emerge as the top candidate once that happened.

Diaz being considered for a Head Coaching job seems to be long overdue. Other than his stint at Texas, Diaz has been an elite Defensive Coordinator since his first time leading a defense at Middle Tennessee State in 2006-07.