REPORT: Manny Diaz linked to new ACC head coach opening

Well, it’s that time of year. The coaching carousel in the world of college football continues to turn. The Penn State football team is in that conversation as well. Many of you are aware that the Nittany Lions are searching for their next offensive coordinator. But could they also have to replace their current defensive coordinator Manny Diaz as well? According to the latest report from Bruce Feldman, that could be the case, as the Duke football job is now open.

REPORT: Manny Diaz rumored in new head coaching opportunity

The past 48 hours have been wild in college football. It started on Saturday night when Texas A&M reportedly hired Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops as their next head coach. But after an uproar by the Aggie faithful and a statement from Coach Stoops, that hire fizzled out. So, Texas A&M instead decided to hire Duke football head coach Mike Elko and that deal has been finalized.

🚨 BREAKING: Texas A&M intends to hire Duke head coach Mike Elko as next head coach, per @BrentZwerneman https://t.co/o8mkF22E7L pic.twitter.com/0IMqZoqOib

— On3 (@On3sports) November 26, 2023

As that deal is now official, a new job opening at the Power Five level is available at Duke. That’s where Manny Diaz’s name has been thrown into the mix. It’s hard enough to replace one coordinator, but two in the same offseason would be a massive challenge for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions.

Mike Elko left for A&M and Duke has another coaching search. JMU's Curt Cignetti may make sense, but there's also a bunch of top coordinators who may be in play: Penn State's Manny Diaz, Ohio State's Jim Knowles & FSU's Alex Atkins.https://t.co/uQTTbyPe32https://t.co/uQTTbyPe32

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 27, 2023

In his article, Feldman states, “One former ACC head coach whom we hear Duke may pursue is Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. He was 21-15 in three years at Miami and 16-9 in ACC play. The 49-year-old has also coached at FSU and NC State. Diaz is really bright and would probably fit in well at Duke, and like Elko, he’s regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football…”

More of these rumors are bound to surface as Manny Diaz has done a tremendous job with the Penn State football team. The biggest question becomes what can the Nittany Lions do to retain one of their top staff members?