According to the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal, Middle Tennessee State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has taken the same post at Mississippi State. He replaces Carl Torbush, who left for Kansas after one season in Starkville.

An MSU spokesman would not immediately confirm the hiring, saying, “Nothing right now.” So, presumably, later we should hear official word.

Diaz, 35, has been running MTSU’s defense the past four seasons. This past year, his Blue Raiders ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring defense (23.7 ppg), second in pass defense (218.1 ypg), third in total defense (354.8 ypg) and third in rushing defense (136.8 ypg).

The Blue Raiders have also led the league in sacks this past season with 38.

Diaz coached against the Bulldogs each of the last two seasons. In those games, both MSU wins, MTSU gave up an average of 24.5 points, 349.5 total yards, 176.0 passings yards, and 173.5 rushing yards.

Diaz has also coached at N.C. State (6 years – GA/LBs 2000-01, LBs 2002-03, safeties/special teams 2004-05) and Florida State (2 years – 1998-99 video/secondary). Prior to that, the 1995 FSU graduate worked for ESPN from 1995-97.

His father, Manuel Alberto Diaz, was mayor of Miami from 2001-09.

MSU is also looking for a new defensive line coach after David Turner left earlier this week for Kentucky. Oklahoma assistant Chris Wilson is reportedly the frontrunner for that position.