One-stop that Diaz had in his career was as the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech under Holtz in 2014. The Bulldogs finished with the nation’s 35th ranked defense in Diaz’s one season. Playing Diaz’s attacking style of defense Louisiana Tech was 2nd in tackles for loss and 16th in sacks.
The safety coach for the Bulldogs under Diaz was the current Miami defensive coordinator Blaker Baker. Diaz left for Louisiana Tech after one season to return to Mississippi State to become the defensive coordinator where he held the same job in 2010. Baker succeeded him as the Bulldogs defensive coordinator.
Baker held that position under Holtz for four seasons. Last season the Bulldogs finished 39th in scoring defense, 27th in total defense, 13th in tackles for loss and fifth in sacks. Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylan Ferguson was second in the nation with 26 tackles for loss and first with 17.5 sacks.
Baker now has Miami DE Greg Rousseau to utilize when the Hurricanes play the Bulldogs next week. Rousseau has 18 TFLs and 14 sacks entering the game against Louisiana Tech. Rousseau will not reach Ferguson’s 2018 numbers, but he has had a remarkable season considering he did not start until Miami’s fifth game of 2019.