In the same week that James Franklin and Penn State Football fired Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was nominated for the Broyles award, the award given to the best assistant coach in the nation.
Under Diaz, the Nittany Lions‘ defense ranks second nationally in total defense, second in team sacks, fourth in tackles for a loss, and first in turnover margin.
Penn State’s defense ranks fourth in scoring defense nationally, giving up 13.1 points per game. Diaz’s success this season has also put him on the short list for an SEC head coaching search and his name will likely pop up in more coaching searches this offseason.
We are proud to announce the 2023 Broyles Award nominees! Congratulations to our 57 nominees – you are part of an elite group of assistant coaches. We look forward to revealing this year’s semi-finalists and finalists and the winner at the Award Ceremony on December 5th. pic.twitter.com/JoDaKVnUpH
— The Broyles Award (@BroylesAward) November 14, 2023
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Penn State Football has never had a finalist or winner of the Broyles Award, so Manny Diaz could make history for the Nittany Lions if he were to be selected as a finalist or win the award.
MORE: Why Manny Diaz is the Ideal Fit for Mississippi State Head Coaching Job
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Education: Saint Vincent College, Penn State Law School
Location: Washington, DC
Experience:Robert Casturo has covered Penn State football for NittanyCentral since 2022. Casturo previously covered Penn State football through a social media presence (@PSU_FB_Thoughts on X) since 2019. Casturo earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Vincent College in 2015, where he was a punter for 1 season on the Saint Vincent College football team and worked in the athletic department for 2 years as a student manager. Casturo earned his JD from Penn State Law in 2018 where he was a senior editor of the Penn State Law Review.
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