Manny Diaz among college coaches facing most pressure in 2020

After a 6-7 inaugural season as the Miami Hurricanes head coach, Manny Diaz is considered to be among the college coaches facing the most pressure in 2020.

Manny Diaz made wholesale changes on offense for the Miami Hurricanes after a disappointing 6-7 debut season as head coach in 2019. Diaz is considered to be among a “list of college football coaches feeling pressure entering 2020” according to an article posted by CBS Sports last week.

The greatest pressure for Manny Diaz will likely come from himself, the players and the Miami administration. Most coaches can compartmentalize and not listen to the noise and criticism that comes from fans. Diaz realized the problems with the Hurricanes offense and made multiple changes after the 2019 season.

Out are offensive coordinator Dan Enos, offensive line coach Butch Barry and wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield who left for the same position at Penn St. Diaz hired Rhett Lashlee from SMU to succeed Enos, former UNLV offensive coordinator Garin Justice to replace Barry and Rob Likens from Arizona St. as the new WR coach.

Lashlee brings an up-tempo, spread offense to Miami. Having former offensive coordinators Justice and Likens on the staff gives Miami three coaches with play-calling experience the ability to work together. Justice has also been a Division II head coach. CBS Sports summarized where Diaz is at entering 2020.

"Manny Diaz, Miami (FL): Hurricanes fans are really good at the internet. So, if lighting up my Twitter mentions after reading this blurb makes you feel better, that’s fine. Have at it. But can we talk about where Miami is as a program right now? It has failed to build off the division title run and 10-win season in 2017.The Hurricanes regressed to a point where they lost FIU, Duke and Louisiana Tech, getting shut out in the bowl game by the Bulldogs last season. The door to an eight-win season was wide open in mid-November, but the Canes choked it away. He won’t be fired after this season unless his program tanks and goes 3-9.But another lackluster performance could land him on the hot season next season."

The final sentence is speculative. It would be tough to see Diaz survive another season as he had in 2019. Anything less than seven wins including a bowl would be hard to see Diaz sticking around in 2020. There have been a lot of rumblings that some Board of Trustee members wanted the changes Diaz made in the offseason.

Diaz also went back to the transfer portal to bring in quarterback D’Eriq King from Houston, defensive end Quincy Roche from Temple and kicker Jose Borregales from FIU after he helped the Panthers beat Miami in November with three field goals including two from 50 plus yards. Miami needs a good season to silence critics.