Manny Diaz ‘right leader’ for Miami, athletic director says

Blake James says changes ‘necessary and expected’ after Independence Bowl loss

Manny Diaz holds a University of Miami Hurricanes jersey after being introduced as the next football coach while mascot Sebastian the Ibis flashes "The U" sign and athletic director Blake James poses for a photograph, Jan. 2, 2019, in Coral Gables, Florida.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami athletic director Blake James remains committed to Manny Diaz.

James took to Twitter shortly after Miami’s 14-0 loss to Louisiana Tech in Thursday’s Independence Bowl, calling the result “a disappointing finish to a season that fell well below the high standards" of the program.

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But, he stopped short of signaling a change at the top.

“Manny Diaz is the right leader for our program but clearly changes are necessary and expected,” James wrote. “Manny is in the process of making a full assessment of the football program, including coaches and staff.”

As expected, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dan Enos was fired just before 11 a.m. Friday.

“The version we saw tonight can’t take part in 2020 in any way, shape or form,” Diaz told reporters after the game. “That’s up to me to fix it.”

The Hurricanes (6-7) finished with a losing record for the first time since 2014 and ended the season on a three-game losing streak.

Diaz, who took over after the resignation of Mark Richt at the end of last season, has been criticized by fans.


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