Penn State football: Early returns positive on new DC Manny Diaz
The first five Penn State spring practices under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz have — quite literally — been about getting up to speed.
As the Nittany Lions become more comfortable with Diaz’s new defensive system, their grip on the handbrake will gradually loosen.
Just a handful of practices into Diaz’s tenure, though, there has been some natural trepidation. Especially on the defensive side of the ball, it’s difficult to play fast when you’re processing new information.
“The first couple of days, guys were thinking a lot with the new scheme and all,” sixth-year defender Jonathan Sutherland said. “But we’re on practice five now, and we’re starting to pick up the hang of it, guys are starting to play a lot faster. And when you play fast, you can make plays if you know what you’re doing.”
“Sutherland has been here nine years at Penn State, so it’s a fairly good adjustment for him,” James Franklin joked.
Diaz came to Penn State this winter following Brent Pry’s departure for Virginia Tech. He spent three previous seasons as the head coach at Miami.
One of the hallmarks of his tenure with the Hurricanes — which he began as a defensive coordinator in 2016 — was an aggressive pass rush.
Miami didn’t spend a season outside of the nation’s top-35 in sacks during his time there. The Hurricanes finished tied for first in sacks in 2017, fourth in 2019 and 13th in 2018.
The Hurricanes also ranked inside the top-10 nationally in tackles for loss in each year of Diaz’s tenure.
Before the Nittany Lions can get to that, though, they have to learn the basic tenets of his defense. And that’s what the spring has been about so far.
“There are some changes with that,” Franklin said. “There are some growing pains and guys not playing as fast as they normally do because they’re thinking a little bit more with some of the adjustments that have been made.”
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Franklin said that there has been an adjustment to terminology and philosophy on defense under Diaz.
“Just how we want our linebackers to play, how we’re going to fit up [pulling offensive linemen], things like that that are just a little bit different,” Franklin said. “You got a guy like Nick Tarburton who has been playing a certain way in how he takes on pullers and now we’re doing it a little bit different.
There are countless other small tweaks being made. Another example is an adjustment on how linebackers play the run in some scenarios.
Overall, though, Franklin said Diaz is fitting in well.
“I’ve been really impressed with him,” Franklin said.
“I think he’s got some wrinkles that’ll be really good for us. Some subtle adjustments that I’m excited about. Good so far, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. I’ll have a better feel with him being year one probably about two weeks into training camp.
“This spring will be really important to lay a foundation. Build on it all summer, do a great job with voiceovers and things like that. And then hopefully be able to come into camp in the first two weeks and really be flying around and truly competing.”
