Through the blowout losses (Alabama, Michigan State) or the heartbreaking defeats that weren’t determined until the games’ final moments (Virginia, North Carolina), Diaz’s confidence his team didn’t waver even as University of Miami athletics director Blake James didn’t guarantee Diaz would finish the season as the Hurricanes’ coach amidst a 2-4 start to the season.
Now, just 1 1/2 weeks later after James’ comments to select media outlets, the Hurricanes have started to reward Diaz’s belief in them with back-to-back wins over N.C. State and Pittsburgh, programs that were ranked in the top-20 of the AP Top 25 at the time of Miami’s victory.