Duke: Florida State Makes Big Move Connected to Manny Diaz

No coach in the country might be doing better work this season than Manny Diaz with the Duke Blue Devils.

The Blue Devils are 7-2, and have won their last two games over Boston College and NC State by a combined 88-5. It's been well-documented that Duke doesn't have a great share of resources, at least compared to other programs in the ACC. 

Another complication for Diaz was losing quarterback Darian Mensah and receiver Cooper Barkate late in the transfer portal. Duke is winning games thanks to a robust rushing attack and a strong defense.

Duke can be a victim of its own success, as recently seen with Mike Elko using the Blue Devils as a stepping stone before going to Texas A&M. Diaz has recently been linked to Florida State after the Seminoles fired Mike Norvell. 

Diaz is an alumnus of FSU, so it would make sense for him to be linked to the Noles. Florida State made a move on Monday that could be in Diaz's favor. FSU hired Jeff Purinton as its athletic director.

Pete Nakos of On3 noted that Purinton and Diaz worked together at Florida State in the 1990s, under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden.

It would not be surprising at all if Diaz winds up at least getting a phone call from Purinton about the job.

Diaz is 46–26 as a head coach of Miami and Duke. He struggled with Miami but appears to have learned from his lessons with the Hurricanes, leading the Blue Devils to the ACC championship in 2025.

Given the $50 million price tag for Norvell's buyout, Florida State will likely be somewhat tight on resources early on with its next coach. Diaz would then be a more attractive candidate for the Noles, because he has done more with less at Duke.

Even if Diaz doesn't take the job at Florida State, he has some leverage to ask Duke for better resources so he doesn't leave. Diaz signed a contract extension earlier this year.

What he needs now is better funding for his roster. Imagine where the Blue Devils would be this season if they had a quarterback like Mensah?

Duke takes more pride in its basketball program than football. But the Blue Devils should invest more in the football program with Diaz as head coach. They have a chance to compete for the College Football Playoff with him.