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Duke football head coach Manny Diaz told reporters Wednesday he’s finally “at peace” with his unceremonious exit from the Miami Hurricanes in December 2021.
It was a statement of grace from a Miami native whose exit from the UM program was ugly in many ways.
In fall 2021, Miami administration and football boosters openly recruited Mario Cristobal, who was then head coach at the University of Oregon, while Diaz was still under contract as head coach. Miami ultimately signed Cristobal to a 10-year, $80 million contract on Dec. 6, 2021.
Amid the noise, Miami finished the season with five wins in its final six games. Diaz closed his three-year tenure leading the Hurricanes with a 21-15 overall record. However, there was little doubt at the end that Diaz had lived up to the lofty promises to return UM to its glory years.
“I am disappointed in the University’s decision and the manner in which they played out over the last few weeks,” he wrote on social media in a departure letter in 2021. “The uncertainty impacted our team, our staff and their families – these are real people that gave everything to this program. For that, for them, I hurt.”
The Miami Hurricanes (8-0) host the Duke Blue Devils (6-2) on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Diaz’s first time back in Miami-Dade County as the head coach of another football team.
Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz walks on the sideline during the first half of Saturday’s loss to Michigan State at Hard Rock Stadium. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
From Tom D’Angelo: Miami Hurricanes saving state of Florida football from total embarrassment
Manny Diaz, Mario Cristobal successful after Miami drama
The path to Saturday’s reunion at Hard Rock Stadium has seen setbacks and recovery for both coaches.
Diaz spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as defensive coordinator at Penn State, leading the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-duke-head-coach-manny-201405181.html
Author : Palm Beach Daily News
Publish date : 2024-10-30 20:14:05
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