Miami Hires Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz As Head Coach Days After He Agreed To Go To Temple

Mark Richt stunned the Miami football program on Sunday when he announced his sudden retirement after his third season with the Hurricanes.

The announcement came as a shock to the athletic director and everyone around the program, not only because Richt seemed to be rejuvenated back at his alma mater, but because just days before the announcement, defensive coordinator Manny Diaz accepted the head coaching job at Temple. Diaz would’ve been the clear successor to Richt, and likely would have stayed around if he’d just let him know he was planning on leaving the program.

To sway Diaz back to Miami, the university had to pay a $4 million buyout to Temple, which was completed late on Sunday night.

The 25th Head Coach of the Miami Hurricanes: @Coach_MannyDiaz https://t.co/wuJfpy9TGg

— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) December 31, 2018

With former head coach Geoff Collins leaving to take the head coaching job at Georgia Tech, Temple has received a surplus of $6.5 million in buyouts so far.

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