Mike Yurcich opens up about his relationship with Manny Diaz

Coordinators share a unique respect for each other, especially when they are both part of the same team. The Penn State football coordinators have been able to share a full season and a half together at this point. They challenge each other, learn from each other, but most importantly make each other better. That’s exactly what kind of relationship that offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich shares with defensive coordinator Manny Diaz.

Mike Yurcich opens up about his relationship with Manny Diaz

Each week Mike Yurcich and Manny Diaz battle each other in practice. One stumping the other from a day-to-day standpoint. But come Saturday, they understand that those battles make each other better in their respective roles. In his recent media availability, Penn State OC Mike Yurcich opened up on his relationship with Nittany Lion DC Manny Diaz.

Yurcich said, “Manny [Diaz] is an unbelievable coach. He’s been a head coach so he provides a lot of different perspectives from that regard. So, I think he sees things much differently because of that experience. For me only being a coordinator throughout my career, it’s great to get an education and to listen, and to see how he sees things and just listen and try to get as much information from him as I can.”

It’s safe to say that there is mutual respect between each other. But it’s interesting to listen to how much Yurcich tries to learn from Diaz. This speaks to the never-ending drive to become the best coach you can be. Penn State football fans are hopeful that the Nittany Lions can continue to hold onto both coordinators as the years go on.

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