On Saturday, the 49-year-old Florida native expressed gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to lead the Blue Devils. Diaz, who spent two successful seasons in State College, led a pair of top-ranked defenses during his tenure.

In his statement, Diaz acknowledged the importance of the people at Duke who played a role in attracting him to the program. He specifically mentioned the school's president and athletic director, as well as his former strength coach at Miami, David Feeley. Diaz emphasized the significance of the young men in the locker room and highlighted the unique culture at Duke, which he described as being surrounded by the best people on campus.

Diaz also spoke about his aspirations to become a head coach again and the valuable lessons he learned during his time at Miami. He emphasized the importance of being in the right place with the right support, stating that he feels confident about the timing and the support he has at Duke.

During his first news conference with the Blue Devils, Diaz expressed gratitude towards the players he had the chance to work with at Penn State. He commended them for their dedication, their drive to be the best, and their focus on becoming the number one defense in the country. Diaz also thanked his former coaching staff at Penn State and head coach James Franklin for bringing him into the program and allowing him to contribute to its culture.

Regarding his transition from Penn State to Duke, Diaz mentioned a conversation with James Franklin shortly after being let go. He credited his wife, Stephanie, for encouraging him to persevere and expressed the belief that everything happens for a reason. Diaz acknowledged that the lessons he learned at Penn State have made him a better coach and a better man.

When asked about the ceiling for Duke's football program, Diaz expressed a belief in the team's potential. He emphasized that their success will be determined by their own belief in what they can accomplish. Diaz cited the previous year as an example, stating that their journey to becoming the number one defense in the country started with believing in themselves.

Diaz concluded by stating that he sees no reason why Duke cannot become an elite program. He highlighted the need to ignite the belief in what it means to be a part of Duke's football team and to strive for excellence.

With Manny Diaz now at the helm, Duke University's football program is poised to continue its upward trajectory. Diaz's experience and success at Penn State, coupled with his passion and belief in Duke's potential, make him a promising addition to the Blue Devils' coaching staff.

Title: Former Penn State Coach Manny Diaz Takes the Reins as Duke University's Head Football Coach