Duke Head Coach Manny Diaz joins Adam Breneman for an in-depth conversation about his coaching journey, leadership philosophy, and the challenges of building a winning program in today’s college football landscape. From getting fired at Texas in 2013 to leading Miami and coordinating one of the nation’s top defenses at Penn State, Diaz has seen it all. Now, he’s taking on a new challenge at Duke, and he’s determined to make his mark.
In this episode, Diaz shares his approach to building a strong culture, the importance of toughness in his coaching philosophy, and what it takes to recruit and retain top talent in the era of the transfer portal. He also reflects on the pivotal moments in his career, the lessons he learned from James Franklin, and the differences between taking over at Duke versus Miami.
Whether you’re a college football fan, coach, or aspiring leader, this conversation provides valuable insight into the mindset of a Power 4 head coach and what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Don’t miss this inside look at the future of Duke Football and the man leading the charge.
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:50 - First team meeting at Duke
2:40 - First order of business as Duke Head Coach
4:27 - Pivotal moment in Coach Diaz’s career
5:35 - Coaching philosophy
6:25 - Being a production assistant at ESPN
8:26 - When Coach Diaz knew he wanted to be a head coach
9:14 - Process of getting job at Duke
14:09 - Taking over Duke vs. Taking over Miami
15:07 - Building a staff
17:07 - What Coach Diaz looks for in young coaches
18:59 - Lessons from Coach Franklin
22:10 - Ready to be a head coach again
23:46 - Building a relationship with players
26:21 - Building a team to win now vs. building for the future
27:50 - When Coach Diaz knew his team was tough
29:20 - Managing risk during a game
30:18 - Spring Practice thoughts
32:47 - Important stats to Coach Diaz
34:23 - Play calling as a head coach
35:34 - Being honest with players
36:35 - Advice to his younger self
37:24 - Overcoming adversity
40:05 - Biggest challenge at Duke
41:11 - Duke’s culture
44:33 - What will take Duke to the next level
45:07 - NIL at Duke
46:42 - Philosophical changes throughout coaching journey
48:10 - Coach Diaz’s why
On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans.
Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports.
Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.
