Yes. What head coaches were hired after Diaz?
Even up and coming head coaches at "lower" Power 5 schools had turned down interviews (per news reports) of better jobs (Brohm at Purdue turned down Louisville - his alma mater and Campbell at Iowa State turned down a NY Jets interview request).
Look, I think it was a quick and lazy hire. As gracious as Richt was in leaving a huge amount of money he had on the table with the Canes, it would have been better if he had made the decision immediately after the last regular season game. He probably was shocked when James wanted change on the offensive coaching staff after the bowl game and just decided he was done.
James probably looked at one month left in recruiting (after early signing in December) and hiring Manny would help keep the class somewhat intact. Manny came on the defensive side of the ball which was a strong point last year. So, why not have Manny change the offensive staff and get the team as a whole to play as aggressively as the defensive players had? Plus, you can sign him for a million dollars less a year than what you were paying Richt and he has worked on the staffs of 3 head coaches who have had some level of success at the Power 5 level. On the down side, you are getting a guy with no head coaching experience and perhaps most importantly, is a carryover from the previous failed regime.
It was a gamble, but I can at least see the thought behind it. Perhaps Manny could be the next Dabo? A coordinator who replaced a failed head coach and was able to turn things around. After 4 games, I don't think it is fair to judge a coaching staff, especially when the team needs to undergo the major task of changing its basic culture of being soft mentally and entitled in general. However, I must say it was disconcerting to see the team's effort last week against CMU. Losing 2 close games on the road was brutal, especially 4th and 17, but to come home and lay that big of an egg against CMU is not acceptable in the least bit. This team needs to show signs of improvement and last week was 3 steps back.
We'll see if Manny can get this team right over the next couple of weeks. I hope Manny can do it, but it doesn't look good.