When Duke hired Manny Diaz to replace Mike Elko, the decision was questioned in some circles. Most notably, the sports staff at a North Carolina newspaper, who like to think they know something about football, opined that the decision had the potential for disaster.
Replacing the plain-spoken, aw shucks Elko with Diaz, the son of a former mayor of Miami who learned the art of political charm growing up, seemed like a poor fit. Diaz, opined one writer who likes to think he’s clever, seemed like the type of coach who would use your first name three times in the first sentence he speaks after meeting you—clearly a departure from the lineage of Cutcliffe and Elko that rebuilt Duke football.
Consider this a retraction. And an apology. And an announcement that Manny Diaz is the North State Journal’s 2024 Coach of the Year.
With a Gator Bowl matchup against Ole Miss still to play, Diaz has already topped Elko’s win total from last season—which earned him the Texas A&M head coaching job, and matched Elko’s winningest year at Duke. Cutcliffe only had two seasons with as many wins. He’s matched the highest single-season win total of the stadium namesake—hall of famer Wallace Wade, and he’s won more games in a season than Steve Spurrier, Bill Murray or Eddie Cameron ever did.
With a win in the Gator Bowl, Diaz will give Duke just its second 10-win season ever.
Diaz did it with his specialty—defense. The longtime coordinator took over a D that was one of the league’s best under Elko and brought it to another level. Duke is second in the nation in tackles for loss and turnovers forced. The Blue Devils rank in the top five in fumbles recovered, sacks and blocked punts. While leading the ACC in pass defense and red zone defense.
