The issue is, even if you DO think Manny is a good DC and his better defensive seasons were not aberrations, the question is - could he have made the defensive improvements that he did (as a DC for Richt) on a part time basis? Did his job not require his full attention? Isn't he the analysis wonk (supposedly)? Well, doesn't that take time? Full-time time?
We've been a fundamentally unsound defensive football team for the 2 years that Baker has had the reins, with this year being worse than the last. Diaz won't have time for fundamentals training if he's allowing his BFF to prepare the boys.
The truth is - Miami has enough athleticism and speed to out athlete most other teams and even do so with very primal defensive schemes if the boys are fundamentally sound and disciplined. Many think Manny's scheme is the problem. It wasn't the problem when we had a top 10 D in most categories. Shannon's scheme was not great, but we out althleted teams and he had them playing sound fundamentally.
The issue is that play calling, although important, is not as important as what happens on Greentree field Monday - Friday. When you watch the BAMA's, CLEMSON's and OSU*'s of the world, among other things, their players are fundamentally sound on defense. They tackle well, they hold their ground, they stay with their assignment, etc. The instilling of these fundamentals doesn't happen on Saturdays. Those things happen the other 6 days of the week.
This past season, especially against any team with a pulse (not just Clemson, UNC and OSU), we looked unprepared, confused (those two are connected) and fundamentally unsound. That's a fact. Those things are not the result of play calling during a game, although Baker sucks at that as well. Those things are the responsibility of the coaches who have them when there isn't a game.
This is why I don't like the idea of Manny playcalling, as if this fixes the core problems (not to speak of the optics with Baker staying) of the defense. Simpson and T-Rob will do their best to mask the weaknesses of the scheme and LB's, but the same mental patient who "trained" the linebackers who gave up 550 yards rushing in one game, is the same guy who will be "training" them this year.
Insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result. This is insane. I'm not a "mope", hater or negative person and believe me, I don't want this to be the case, but this is what is before us. The rosiest outcome within the realm of possibility, is that Manny sees this and goes far FAR beyond just playcalling. Of course, the question that keeps coming up is, "Well, if Manny is running the D, what exactly is Baker getting paid $600K for?" Great question. Answer: insanity.