Miami hires ex-assistant Manny Diaz to replace Mark Richt as coach

Miami has hired former Hurricanes assistant Manny Diaz to replace retiring head coach Mark Richt, the school announced Sunday.

Diaz left Temple before ever coaching a game there. Diaz took the job to become coach of the Owls earlier this month, a deal he has now backed out of to take over at Miami.

Diaz came to terms hours after Richt stunned the school by announcing his retirement. Players were told Sunday night.

"Manny is one of the nation's elite coaches and the Canes' family has already embraced him and his incredible work ethic over the past three years," Miami athletic director Blake James said in a statement. "He is absolutely the passionate and innovative leader that our program needs,…