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Alabama Football: 5 potential replacements for Pete Golding

By Dante Pryor

Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) defensive back Jordan Battle (9) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrate the victory against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) defensive back Jordan Battle (9) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrate the victory against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /
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September 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz (center) gestures from the sideline during the second quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
September 10, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz (center) gestures from the sideline during the second quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Manny Diaz, Penn State defensive coordinator

Like Jeremy Pruitt, Diaz is an interesting choice because of his work with defensive backs. The Nittany Lions had one of the better secondaries in college football last season. Diaz is a sitting coordinator, and the Nittany Lions have the opportunity to contend next season in a daunting Big Ten Eastern division.

That said, Alabama could pay him more money and give him a better opportunity to become a head coach if he desires to be one again. Diaz is another known commodity, coaching solid defenses his entire career.

Diaz gained national notoriety in 2002 as part of Chuck Amato’s staff. He coached the linebackers on a squad that finished 11-3, North Carolina State’s only 10-win season in school history. Diaz coached notoriously stingy defenses in both stints at Mississippi State.

Diaz was a Broyles Award finalist in his first season as defensive coordinator of the Miami Hurricanes. Miami finished fourth in total defense in 2018 before he was promoted to head coach after Mark Richt was fired.

Does Diaz want to enter another pressure cooker in Alabama, two years removed from Miami? Is the allure of coaching at Alabama enough to tempt Diaz away from Happy Valley?

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