Diaz and Co. finished the regular season 9-3 before enduring a blowout loss to Ole Miss in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The Rebels hung 52 on Duke, marking the second straight season Ole Miss’ offense obliterated a Diaz defense in a bowl game.
While James Franklin was busy leading Penn State to its first College Football Playoff appearance and a program-record 13 wins, his coaching tree was finding some success of its own around college football.
From Manny Diaz leading Duke to a historic season in his first year with the program to Bill O’Brien’s return as a head coach in college football, 2024 had it all for the former Nittany Lions.
Here’s how these former Penn State coaches’ teams fared this season.
Manny Diaz, Duke
After two seasons as Penn State’s defensive coordinator, Diaz once again became a head coach in 2024, this time leading Duke to one of its best seasons in school history.
Regardless, it was still a successful first year for Diaz. The Blue Devils started 5-0 for the first time since 1994 and swept their games against in-state ACC rivals for the first time since 2013, including an epic comeback win over archrival North Carolina.
Duke made more history on Oct. 18 when it defeated Florida State for the first time in program history. Prior to the 23-16 win, the Blue Devils had lost 22 straight games against the Seminoles.
The future of the Blue Devils seems bright under Diaz, who said the loss to Ole Miss “will provide tremendous fuel” going forward.
Bill O’Brien, Boston College
Despite initially taking the offensive coordinator position at Ohio State in January 2024, O’Brien found himself leading a college team once again after leaving the Buckeyes to become the head coach at Boston College.
O’Brien led the Eagles to a 7-5 regular season record before losing to Nebraska in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, giving Boston College its second straight 7-6 season
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