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Penn State assistant ’snubbed’ from list of Broyles finalists; Duke may want to hire Manny Diaz: Newsstand

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel11/28/23GregPickel
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Dan Rainville | USA TODAY NETWORK

Penn State news, notes, and updates for Nov. 28 include an awards list snub plus a look ahead to more honors and more.

It’s time to dive into Tuesday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.

Penn State tweets of the day

We start with award news. Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is not one of five finalists for the Broyles Award. It goes annually to the nation’s top assistant coach. Diaz oversees the nation’s top total defense by yards. It’s first in sacks with 48, third in tackles for loss, third in scoring defense, and notched three shutouts while also holding multiple opponents to less than 100 yards of total offense.

The award finalists this year are Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker, LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein and Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Diaz and the Lions, meanwhile, are awaiting to learn their postseason destination on Sunday.

In other news, Duke may pursue Diaz to be its next head coach, according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. The Blue Devils lost head coach Mike Elko to Texas A&M over the weekend.

“One former ACC head coach whom we hear Duke may pursue is Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz,” Feldman writes. “He was 21-15 in three years at Miami and 16-9 in ACC play. The 49-year-old has also coached at FSU and NC State.

“Diaz is really bright and would probably fit in well at Duke, and like Elko, he’s regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football. Last year, Diaz led Penn State to a No. 5 finish in yards per play allowed. This year, Diaz’ defense ranks No. 1 in the country in yards per play allowed, total defense and sacks.”

Headlines of the day

Penn State’s Manny Diaz snubbed by Broyles Award, not named a finalist for top assistant: McGonigal, PennLive

Penn State bowl projections: Where are the Lions slotted after the regular season?: Pickel, BWI

The Latest Penn State Bowl Projections: Wogenrich, SI

Taking stock: Penn State players on offense with decisions to make: Bauer, BWI

Column: Broyles or not, 2023 a banner year for Manny Diaz: Bauer, BWI

Trimmings: Ranking Penn State’s Transfer Portal priorities this offseason: Fitz, BWI

Quote of the day

“Coach (Mike) Rhoades was just talking about using me in a way that I would like to be used when it comes to versatility. Being able to go out there and play my kind of game whether that’s in the post or mid post or three ball and then guarding. The defensive schemes they have and the kind of guys that they brought in, like Puff Johnson, who played with Wildcats Select, which is my AAU program, just hearing his personal experience and how his transition was from North Carolina to Penn State, that was a good experience.”

–Class of 2025 power forward Niko Bundalo, who is a member of the On150, to On3 about his Penn State unofficial visit.

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