CORAL GABLES — This week, Hurricanes coach Mark Richt formally named part of the coaching staff he hopes will help him get Miami's football program back on track after a series of disappointing seasons.
On Saturday, he added yet another critical piece, announcing the hire of Manny Diaz as the Hurricanes' new defensive coordinator, replacing the oft-criticized Mark D'Onofrio.
Diaz, a Miami native and the son of former Miami mayor Manuel "Manny" Diaz, most recently served as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State, where his Bulldogs held opponents to an average of 391.2 yards per game this season, a number good enough to rank 57th in the nation.