Sources: Manny Diaz expected to interview at Mississippi State

Louisiana Tech's defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is expected to interview for the same position at Mississippi State early this week, sources told The Clarion-Ledger on Sunday.

The meeting between MSU and Diaz could happen as early as Monday, according to one source.

Diaz, who also worked with the linebackers at La. Tech, is familiar with Starkville. He was the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State in 2010, in MSU coach Dan Mullen's second year.

Diaz then moved on to become the defensive coordinator at Texas from 2011-13, before landing at Louisiana Tech last year.

In 2010, Diaz guided an MSU defense that ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring (19.9 ppg) and 17th in rushing defense (119 ypg).

Prior to Diaz's arrival in 2009, the defense finished 71st in scoring (26.8), 62nd in rushing (146).

Under Diaz, MSU held seven opponents to 20 points or fewer, which included 17 to Auburn, which had the nation's fourth-ranked scoring offense.

MSU is searching for a defensive coordinator after Geoff Collins accepted the same position at Florida. Collins spent two years as Mississippi State's defensive coordinator. He was set to make $625,000 in 2015. Cornerbacks coach Deshea Townsend called the defensive plays in last Wednesday's Orange Bowl loss.

No defensive coordinator has spent more than two years at MSU under Mullen.

Collins began at MSU in 2011 as the linebackers coach – replacing Diaz – before being promoted in 2013. Whoever replaced Collins would likely handle both coordinator and linebacker coaching responsibilities.

"Their personality has to fit here," Mullen said last month when talking about the search for a new defensive coordinator. "It's more than just a coach. It's someone coming in that's part of our program. They have to fit our program."

Tony Hughes is the only defensive assistant coach who worked with Diaz in 2010 at MSU.

Diaz helped Louisiana Tech limit opponents to 24.7 points per game last year, which ranked 39th in the country. La. Tech's defense ranked 16th in the country in rushing defense, allowing 118.2 yards per game. Its passing defense ranked 91st, surrendering 244.3 yards per game.

Mississippi State struggled throughout 2014 trying to slow down opponents' passing games. MSU ranked 117th in passing yards allowed. It gave up more than 272 yards per game.

That figure was helped by Georgia Tech only throwing for 125 yards in the Orange Bowl. But the Yellow Jackets only attempted 12 passes and defeated MSU

Mississippi State's defense limped to the finish line during the final two games of the 2014 season. Ole Miss gained 532 yards in the Egg Bowl loss. Georgia Tech surpassed that with 577 in the Orange Bowl.

The Yellow Jackets rushed for 452 yards -- the most of any team since Mullen arrived in 2009.