Bob Diaco to be named new Defensive Coordinator

[Armchair]

I certainly hope Diaco does not come in and make immediate changes to defensive staff. This clearly had to be discussed between he and Riley ahead of the offer. Improvement was made last year, albeit marginal in many facets, and complete upheaval does not seem necessary.

Would have to believe the new DB coach was aware the change was coming also. Speculation on my part? Yes, but that guy has options and if a new DC was to be brought in a month after coming onboard, presenting a potential threat to his new gig, I would question the decision unless there was prior knowledge.

D.Williams is certainly safe here for a minimum of a year. I cannot imagine Diaco not being pleased to find John Parella as his Defensive Line coach already on staff. Trent Bray has been a great recruiter and position coach as well.
I think Bob will have input in one additional hire for the defensive staff, and would not be surprised if he also personally takes on a big role in coaching the special teams, as well as being the DC.

 

[Suhperman]

Coming from an anti-Riley person. Not sure if this is a home run hire or not but I think it is a pretty good step forward. My number 1 complaint against MR was bringing Banker with him. Well that has been alleviated so it boosts my opinion of the staff way up. However......as always I'll reserve the right to bitch about something at any time. Truthfully though......most all persons with my perception should have a certain amount of positive thoughts here. I really feel we need to find some passion and fire on the sidelines. Our defenses late this season lacked any type of fire.

Well, at least you're finally admitting it. Not that everyone didn't know already; it's just nice to see you come out of the closet.

 

[huskerator 5000]

You're right but it's pretty normal to talk about the person that's gone and the issues with him.

It is normal. I'm just saying, my opinion of press clippings and a guy's track record probably shouldn't change just because the guy gets fired. If they do, probably I'm not looking at it objectively and that's an important thing to know.

Not to claim that I was one of the guys who was RAA on Banker. I wasn't that positive or negative IIRC.

 

[FullbackTrap]

D.Williams is certainly safe here for a minimum of a year. I cannot imagine Diaco not being pleased to find John Parella as his Defensive Line coach already on staff. Trent Bray has been a great recruiter and position coach as well.
I think Bob will have input in one additional hire for the defensive staff, and would not be surprised if he also personally takes on a big role in coaching the special teams, as well as being the DC.

Perhaps, but I have a suspicion the additional hire will be on the offensive side of the ball. Riley appears to be addressing issues systematically, and if my perception of this is correct (my personal opinion), Riley will make attempts to get this side of the ball some needed assistance before adding another role on defense.

If/when the 10th assistant is approved by the NCAA, I could see that going to defense.

All in all I like the hire, but as always time will tell if the correct one. Looking forward to a different mentality on defense, this team needs to find its swagger and for me that begins with aggressive defensive play.

 

[Suhperman]

Perhaps, but I have a suspicion the additional hire will be on the offensive side of the ball. Riley appears to be addressing issues systematically, and if my perception of this is correct (my personal opinion), Riley will make attempts to get this side of the ball some needed assistance before adding another role on defense.

If/when the 10th assistant is approved by the NCAA, I could see that going to defense.

All in all I like the hire, but as always time will tell if the correct one. Looking forward to a different mentality on defense, this team needs to find its swagger and for me that begins with aggressive defensive play.

Definitely a possibility. Would be nice to see Cav getting some assistance on the O-line and that coach taking on additional responsibilities with the TE's or special teams.

 

[Armchair]

Perhaps, but I have a suspicion the additional hire will be on the offensive side of the ball. Riley appears to be addressing issues systematically, and if my perception of this is correct (my personal opinion), Riley will make attempts to get this side of the ball some needed assistance before adding another role on defense.

If/when the 10th assistant is approved by the NCAA, I could see that going to defense.

All in all I like the hire, but as always time will tell if the correct one. Looking forward to a different mentality on defense, this team needs to find its swagger and for me that begins with aggressive defensive play.

Yep! You and I are actually right on the same page with this. Depends completely on where Riley wants to go with this. Very possible that D.Williams coaches the entire defensive backfield, which would leave the open slot to be used on the offensive side. However it plays out, I hope the position is filled with an experienced, impact coach.
If the 10th coach becomes a reality though, I hope Tavita is given some consideration. (I know it's rumored he's flirting with BYU)

 

[JHudson]

It's now official:

To: Sports Desks
Re: Nebraska Football Staff

For Immediate Release, Jan. 14, 2017


Note to Media: Due to travel and recruiting schedules, both Coach Riley and Coach Diaco are not available for additional interviews at this time. We will have media availability with both Riley and Diaco at a later date.

Huskers Name Diaco as Defensive Coordinator

Nebraska Head Coach Mike Riley announced Saturday that Bob Diaco has been hired as the Huskers’ defensive coordinator. The winner of the 2012 Broyles Award, Diaco is regarded as one of the top defensive minds in college football and has a proven track record of success at the highest level.


Diaco comes to Nebraska after three seasons as the head coach at the University of Connecticut. Previous to guiding the Husky program he had a highly successful four-year run as the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. Diaco has roots in the Big Ten, twice earning All-Big Ten honors as a linebacker at Iowa in the mid-1990s.


“When we began looking for a new defensive coordinator, Bob Diaco quickly rose to the top of the list,” Riley said. “He has coordinated a top-level defense, has proven himself as a great teacher and recruiter, and we are excited to have him join our football program. Bob is an energetic coach and is ready to get started immediately, beginning with hitting the recruiting trail to find future Blackshirts.”


Diaco said joining Riley’s staff and coaching at a tradition-rich program like Nebraska is an outstanding opportunity.


“I am honored to join Coach Riley and his staff at the University of Nebraska and am excited to become a part of one of the truly great programs in the history of college football,” Diaco said. “Coach Riley has such great respect from everyone in football, and he is building something special here. I started my college football experience in the Big Ten and am thrilled to be back in this conference. I can’t wait to get to work and help build a championship football program.”


In 2015, the Connecticut defense was the key to the Huskies winning three of their final four regular-season games to reach the St. Petersburg Bowl. Diaco was the first head coach in UConn history to take the Huskies to postseason play just two years into their tenure. The Husky defense led the American Athletic Conference in total defense in 2015, ranked 15thnationally in scoring defense (19.5 ppg) and was seventh in the country in red zone defense.


The 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl marked the ninth postseason game for Diaco as a coach, including the 2012 BCS National Championship Game and the 2010 Sugar Bowl. He also played in three bowl games at Iowa.


Diaco was regarded as one of the nation’s top coordinators during his time at Notre Dame from 2010 to 2013, when he led the Irish defense under Head Coach Brian Kelly. In addition to his defensive coordinator role, Diaco also held the title of assistant head coach in 2012 and 2013.

He was the 2012 winner of the Frank Broyles Award, given to the top assistant college football coach in the country and was a semifinalist for the award in 2011. In 2012, Diaco’s Irish defense ranked among the top 10 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 12 different categories as the school played in the BCS National Championship Game and finished with a 12-1 record.

The defense led the way to the BCS title game in 2012, as Diaco’s unit ranked second in the FBS in scoring defense allowing just 12.77 points per game. Notre Dame only allowed 15 offensive touchdowns, four fewer than any other FBS school. The Irish held six opponents without an offensive touchdown and nine foes to one or fewer offensive touchdown.

During his four seasons in South Bend, the Fighting Irish defense allowed an average of 19.08 points per game, which ranked as the ninth-best average over that time among FBS programs.

Diaco's 2011 defense ranked in the top 30 in both scoring defense (24th, 20.7) and total defense (30th, 344.7). In his first season at Notre Dame in 2010, Diaco switched defensive schemes from a blitzing 4-3 defense the Irish utilized in 2009 and installed a 3-4 no-crease defense. Diaco's defense became immediately better as the Irish allowed 5.69 fewer points per game and 40.5 fewer yards per game in 2010 than 2009.

Diaco spent one season as the defensive coordinator on Kelly’s Cincinnati staff in 2009, helping the Bearcats to a trip to the Sugar Bowl. He also served at Virginia (2006-08) as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.

A native of Cedar Grove, N.J., Diaco began his coaching career in 1996-97 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. He then served on the staffs of Western Illinois (1999-2000) as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach, Eastern Michigan (2001-2003) working with the same positions and Central Michigan (2005) as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Diaco was a two-time All-Big Ten selection at Iowa as a linebacker under Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry and was named the team's co-MVP in 1995, starting in all 23 games over his junior and senior seasons.

Diaco and his wife, Julia, have two sons, Angelo and Michael, and a daughter, Josephine.

Diaco’s Coaching Resume

2017 Nebraska, Defensive Coordinator

2014-16 Connecticut, Head Coach

2012-13 Notre Dame, Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach

2011 Notre Dame, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2010 Notre Dame, Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers

2009 Cincinnati, Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers

2006-08 Virginia, Linebackers/Special Teams Coordinator

2005 Central Michigan, Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

2004 Western Michigan, Linebackers/Special Teams

2003 Eastern Michigan, Outside Linebackers/Special Teams

2002 Eastern Michigan, Linebackers/Special Teams

2001 Eastern Michigan, Running Backs/Special Teams

1999-2000 Western Illinois, Running Backs/Special Teams

1996-1997 Iowa, Graduate Assistant



Bob Diaco File
Hometown: Cedar Grove, N.J.
College: Iowa, 1995
Playing Career: Iowa, 1992-95

 

[AlabamaHuskerLady]

 

[Huskerthom]

I chuckled when I read this out loud.

thay I don't think it ith funny to make fun of otherth thpeeth problemth

 

[AlabamaHuskerLady]

 

[AlabamaHuskerLady]

 

[FullbackTrap]

If this is the mentality of the team regarding this hire, right on ... Outstanding to see, and give me some more of that.

 

[Redsnapper]

Great hire. Definitely an upgrade. In car terms maybe we now have more of a Mercedes than the chevy van we traded in. Hopes for a Maybach type of hire wasn't in the cards.
Lots of good football played in East Coast hire schools, would love to see them head to the heartland and not to VT and Clemson.

 

[Californication]

I certainly hope Diaco does not come in and make immediate changes to defensive staff. This clearly had to be discussed between he and Riley ahead of the offer. Improvement was made last year, albeit marginal in many facets, and complete upheaval does not seem necessary.

Would have to believe the new DB coach was aware the change was coming also. Speculation on my part? Yes, but that guy has options and if a new DC was to be brought in a month after coming onboard, presenting a potential threat to his new gig, I would question the decision unless there was prior knowledge.

My worry is about what Bray thinks. He is the same age as Diaco and probably wants to be a coordinator. Will he now leave to get that role? As has been stated by many on here, major schools generally want their hires to have coordinator experience.

 

[FullbackTrap]

My worry is about what Bray thinks. He is the same age as Diaco and probably wants to be a coordinator. Will he now leave to get that role? As has been stated by many on here, major schools generally want their hires to have coordinator experience.

I'd speculate it is a concern beginning next year, agree with your thoughts. But, you never know what kind of dynamic will be created amongst the staff.

Many successful programs have some key turnover every couple years, I won't get too hung up on continuity of staff if it means Nebraska is achieving a much higher level of success and therefore losing coaches to coordinator positions ... especially if Nebraska is always paying attention and aware of potential outstanding replacements.