Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has emerged as the focus of the search for Duke's next football coach, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Diaz has been the top target for an extended period, and a deal is expected to be finalized in the next 24 hours. Duke conducted finalist interviews in Las Vegas this week.
Diaz is coming off a season in which he led the nation's top statistical defense, as the Nittany Lions held opponents to 223.2 yards per game — the best single-season defensive performance in the sport since Alabama in 2011.
He also brings head-coaching experience in the ACC, as he led Miami to three bowl-eligible seasons during his time there from 2019 to 2021.
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