The Miami Hurricanes defense was one of the best over the last three seasons while led by current head coach Manny Diaz as the coordinator. Diaz has infused the energy he incorporated into the Hurricanes defense over the last three seasons to the entire team over the five months since he succeeded Mark Richt as head coach.
The Miami Hurricanes defense has often been dominant during Diaz’s tenure as the coordinator. Diaz’s defense showed the type of impact the Hurricanes can have on that side of the ball early in his tenure.
In Miami’s 2016 ACC opener a pair of fumble return touchdowns by freshmen Joe Jackson and Shaq Quarterman were the catalysts in a 35-21 victory at Georgia Tech.