APEarlier this month, FIU pulled a stunner and fired coach Mario Cristobal – like, on purpose– after six years with the program. Immediately following the decision was a report that the university was considering former North Carolina coach Butch Davis to be Cristobal’s replacement.
Another candidate was Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Orangebloods.com reported Monday that Diaz was flying to Miami, and not necessarily to just visit family (Diaz is a Miami native and the son of former city mayor Manny Diaz). 247Sports picked up on the rumors as well and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday that Diaz did in fact interview for the job.
However, CBSSports reported Tuesday evening that Diaz had removed his name from consideration for the job.
Athletic director Pete Garcia was reportedly waiting to make a decision based on Cristobal’s future employment status, per the Sun-Sentinel, since Cristobal’s buyout is determined in part by whether he’s able to get another job. Cristobal reportedly interviewed for the Temple job, but that ultimately went to New York Giants offensive line coach and former Owls assistant Matt Rhule. Cristobal could end up as an assistant coach under Tampa Bay Bucs coach Greg Schiano.
The Sun-Sentinel report states that Davis remains FIU’s first choice, though he’s already downplayed interest in the job.
Diaz finished his second year with Texas — considered an overall disappointing defensive effort –after DC stops at Mississippi State and Middle Tennessee.
Christmas was ruined early for Longhorn fans. Retire Mack, save Christmas!
FSU offensive coordinator James Coley interviewed for the job as well. I think he’s going to end up getting the job.
This is so awesome. Mack can’t really fire him. The Longhorn Network is gonna go 8-5 again next year.
the heck you guys talking about…Mac Brown is the head coach at Texas…he hired Manny Diaz away from Mississippi St two seasons ago to take over the Texas defense that was ranked #6 at the end of the 2010 season….the defense wasnt the issue that year, it was the offense, but Brown felt he had be a power running team, ala Alabama, so he got rid of the spread offense, which earned him 10 plus wins each year from 2003-2009.
back to Diaz…his first year as DC, UT finished 11th overall in total defense….it was this years versions, that finished 76th, which was the problem…they couldnt freaking tackle…at all…and they played totally out of position at numerous times….thats a total sign of bad coaching from Diaz and the entire defensive staff….granted UT lost three starters for the season from their pre-season depth chart(Jeffcoat, Dorsey and Hicks), but the tackling issue was a season long issue of the systematic problems on that side of the ball.
Diaz will probably survive the season, but Im sure the UT will do far more tackling in the spring next season during practice because this cannot happen again. I know that UT played more true freshman than anyone else in the country, but these players were highly recruited and its no excuse for them playing the way they did….
So, in reading between the lines, sounds like the article implies the following:
1) They want Butch Davis, but can only afford him if Cristobal gets another job (which reduces the buyout).
2) If Cristobal doesn’t get another job, Diaz is the fallback (i.e. cheaper) candidate.
3) Diaz, realizing he was the fallback candidate, dropped out because he knew Cristobal would get picked up somewhere, and FIU would get Davis.
the real story here is that manny diaz is his own father
Mack Brown wishes Manny Diaz had “removed his name from consideration” a couple of years ago.
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v2the4 says:
Dec 19, 2012 2:01 AM
the heck you guys talking about…”
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You do realize that the relationship between Diaz & Akina is not exactly good. Diaz is the DC but Akina does his own thing.
A little friction there.
Akina was the former co-defensive coordinator at UT, and was the DC of the Arizona “desert swarm” defenses….Im sure his feelings are hurt that he is only the DB coach while this 33 yr old Diaz is the DC, but Akina is also the assitant head coach under Mac, and would be the head man in Mac’s absence…
he and Diaz will have to hatch any differences they have for the good of the program, and the dbs also need to tackle better as well.
Manny iaz