New team, same scheme: Manny Diaz ready to show the ‘authenticity’ of his defense with Penn State

Manny Diaz understood stepping into a new position with a new program meant that he had to have a philosophy. He had to articulate early on what he stood for.

The defensive coordinator and linebackers coach was hired by Penn State on Dec. 11, replacing Brent Pry. Diaz’s hiring was announced just five days after he was fired as the University of Miami’s head coach.

“When you stand in front of a group for the first time, what they’re saying is, ‘Who is this guy?’ ” Diaz said. “ ‘Who are we going to be as a defense?’ From Day 1, you’ve got to come in and say, ‘Here’s who I am and here’s who we’re going to be.’ And it has to be authentic.”

Since taking over the position, his main philosophy has been on the importance of creating turnovers. Every football team in the country wants to create turnovers, but Diaz has the numbers to back it up.

Diaz’s defense finished its season ranked top 50 nationally in turnovers in four out of his six years at Miami, according to StateCollege.com. Last season, the Hurricanes ranked 115th — the worst his defenses finished in that category since he was at Mississippi State in 2010 (excluding his two games with Texas before being fired in 2013).

Penn State tied for 30th among FBS schools in turnovers gained last year with 21. Despite the coaching change, turnovers continue to be a sticking point with his inherited group.

Diaz pointed to the fact that most turnovers happen on third-and-long because the offense is more likely to put the ball in harm’s way. His formula, which he admits is fairly mundane, is to get opposing offenses in third-and-8 (or more) and emphasize team tackling.

“Our players are well aware of that, and we speak it into existence every day,” Diaz said. “It’s a part of our DNA, and I will say we’re off to a good start in training camp hunting the ball.”

Linebacker Tyler Elsdon added: “For me, defense is defense. You’ve got to stop the ball. You’ve got to stop the run, the pass, and create turnovers. I don’t think we do anything different than other schools or other coaches, but just having it in the back of your mind, just that little bit, creates a difference.”

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Elsdon is half of a positional battle at middle linebacker, alongside Kobe King. Whomever starts on opening night Sept. 1 against Purdue will be seeing his first career start.

Head coach James Franklin called it a “legitimate competition” and the “biggest question” for Penn State’s defense. He also mentioned freshman Keon Wylie joining that middle linebacker competition despite playing defensive end at Imhotep Charter.

“I think all of us really bring different aspects to the game,” King said. “With my physicality, Tyler’s finesse, and Keon, he’s an athlete, so he’s real fast and he’s strong. We just all bring different aspects to that position.”

Diaz is in no rush to name a starter. He’ll draw out the competition until he’s forced to name someone. It’s likely both Elsdon and King will see significant reps on opening night unless one makes major strides in fall camp.

The position was previously held by Jesse Luketa and Ellis Brooks. Both bolted for the NFL. Luketa was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round, while Brooks went undrafted, signing with the Green Bay Packers.

“The way I was raised in the ‘90s at Florida State with [defensive coordinator] Mickey Andrews is that we want to try and play 22 guys on defense,” Diaz said. “Doesn’t mean it’s 50/50 in snaps, but I think players are better when they aren’t playing every snap. My goal is to get at least two at every position that can go in the game without the defense suffering.”

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Ji’Ayir Brown is one of the few starters written in pen after tying for the most interceptions in college football with six last season. The safety across from him has yet to be determined. Zakee Wheatley, who moved from corner to safety in the spring, Keaton Ellis, and Jaylen Reed are in the mix.

The Nittany Lions defense also gets PJ Mustipher back after he missed the back half of last season with a left knee injury suffered against Iowa. With the 6-foot-4, 321-pound defensive tackle, Penn State did not allow more than 200 rushing yards in a single game. Without him, the Nittany Lions let up 300-plus twice (Illinois and Arkansas).

Despite the defense’s change in leadership, Franklin doesn’t anticipate much variation in his team’s philosophy under Diaz.

“I think it’s more subtle,” Franklin said. “At the end of the day, we were going to hire the best defensive coordinator we possibly could. But being able to find someone that comes from a similar background and similar philosophy, I think, is helpful. You just don’t want to start all over again.”