Manny Diaz Hired as Defensive Coordinator by Louisiana Tech

Dec 29, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive coordinator Manny Diaz (center) signals a play against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half of the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Texas beat Oregon State 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Manny Diaz, the former Texas coordinator who paid the price for last season’s defensive collapse against Brigham Young, is back on the sidelines. Louisiana Tech, currently helmed by Skip Holtz, has signed Diaz as defensive coordinator, the same position he held at Texas, as per ESPN.

Prior to Diaz’ 2-year, 2-game stint at Texas, he had successful stops at Middle Tennessee and Mississippi State, catching the eye of the Longhorns. He struggled in his time in Austin, as the defense got steadily worse under his tutelage, before reaching its nadir in the BYU debacle.

The Bulldogs defense was a disaster at times last season, particularly against the run, but Diaz will have some good players to work with. The 39-year old takes over from previous coordinator Kim Dameron, who took the head coaching gig at Eastern Illinois.