Manny Diaz to be new defensive coordinator at Mississippi State

The Associated Press

MannyA person familiar with the decision says that Mississippi State has hired Manny Diaz to be its new defensive coordinator.

Diaz replaces Geoff Collins, who left the program in December to become defensive coordinator at Florida. The person spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because an official announcement has not been made.

Sports Illustrated first reported the hire.

This is Diaz’s second stint with the Bulldogs — he was also the defensive coordinator during the 2010 season. He then was the defensive coordinator at Texas for more than two seasons before being fired in the middle of the 2013 season.

Diaz spent the past season as the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-5 record.