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Penn State Football Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz Named Broyles Award Semifinalist

Penn State football defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award Monday. The award is given to the nation’s best assistant coach in college football.

Diaz is nearing the conclusion of his second year at the helm of Penn State’s defense, which has established itself as one of the best in the country. The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 2 in total defense, No. 4 in scoring defense, No. 2 in sacks, and No. 5 in tackles for loss, per CFBStats.

Diaz came to Penn State after a gig as the head coach at Miami, where he struggled to generate much success for the Hurricanes. James Franklin said the day after Diaz was fired at Miami, Franklin called him to offer the job as Penn State’s defensive coordinator.

As Penn State’s season comes to a close, the likelihood of Diaz remaining in Happy Valley seems slim. Diaz has said that he’d like to be a head coach again in the future, but would only leave Penn State for the right opportunity. However, with notable jobs in the SEC and at other Power Five schools opening up this offseason, Diaz’s time with the Nittany Lions may be coming to a close.

The finalists for the Broyles Award will be announced next week and the ceremony for the award is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5.

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About the Author

Joe Lister

Joe, shockingly, was Onward State's managing editor from 2024-25. It was an honor. He's off employed doing journalism things, hopefully. If you want to complain about anything he's ever written, you can find him on Twitter (iamjoelister), email ([email protected]), or Signal (iamjoelister.93).

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