The 50-year-old head football coach of Duke University, Manny Diaz has a wife who holds a doctorate. She has published a research study about varsity athletes.
Manuel Alberto Diaz II, born March 13, 1974, is a prominent American football coach with a dynamic career trajectory.
He currently serves as the head coach at Duke University, bringing a wealth of experience from various collegiate football programs.
From 2022 to 2023, Diaz held the position of defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Penn State University.
This role followed his position as head coach at the University of Miami from 2019 to 2021, where he worked to rebuild and strengthen the football program.
Moreover, his coaching background spans numerous institutions, including Temple University, Mississippi State University, Louisiana Tech University, the University of Texas at Austin, Middle Tennessee State University, North Carolina State University, and Florida State University.
Rooted in Miami, Manny Diaz was born to former Miami mayor Manny Diaz Sr.
He attended Miami Country Day School, where he was an exceptional multi-sport athlete.
His athletic prowess extended across football, basketball, and baseball, showing his versatility and competitive spirit.
In 1991, his academic and athletic achievements were recognized when the Miami Herald named him an honorable mention All-Dade County Scholar-Athlete.
Diaz was an active member of the Gamma Rho Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.
His early professional experience included a notable stint at ESPN, where he worked as a production assistant.
His final project at the network involved creating the highlight reel for the 1997 Masters golf tournament.
Manny Diaz Is Married To A PhD Holder And He Shares Three Children With His Wife
In his personal life, Manny Diaz is married to Stephanie Cerow Diaz.
Together, Manny Diaz and his wife have three children: Colin, Gavin, and Manny Jr.
The family tends to keep their personal life private.
Nevertheless, this partnership between Manny Diaz and his wife has supported his demanding coaching career.
Talking about his wife, Stephanie Cerow Diaz, brings her own academic excellence to the family dynamic.
She holds a PhD and has conducted research that offers valuable insights into athletic development.
Her 2009 research paper, “The Effects of High School Soccer Competitive Team Selection on Athletic Identity, Expectations for Success and Subjective Task Value,” provided insights into athletic performance and team dynamics.
Her study revealed compelling findings about varsity athletes, stating that they consistently exhibit higher athletic identity and success expectations.
Moreover, the research found minimal gender differences, suggesting that supportive environments play a crucial role in athletic development across genders.
Throughout his professional journey, Manny Diaz has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, moving between coaching roles at multiple universities.
Manny Diaz and his wife, Stephanie, frequently appear together after games, showcasing their strong partnership.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In 2023, Manny Diaz earned a spot as a semi-finalist for the Broyles Award
- Manny Diaz has an estimated salary of $4 million.
- Colin Diaz started his coaching career in Tallahassee, following in his father’s footsteps.