​USA Today recently ranked all 17 ACC head coaches ahead of the 2026 college football season, placing Duke’s Manny Diaz at No. 7 after he steered the Blue Devils to an ACC Championship Game victory. The ranking puts Diaz behind Georgia Tech’s Brent Key, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, SMU’s Rhett Lashlee, Virginia Tech’s James Franklin, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, and Miami’s Mario Cristobal. Austin Curtright, who authored the piece, described Diaz’s tenure as “confusing” but also noted that Diaz has done “a solid job” so far as Duke’s head coach. That assessment rings true to many observers.
Whether the ranking rests on a quirky tiebreaker or not, Duke did win the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2025 with a 7-5 regular-season record, a campaign in which the Blue Devils even dropped a game to UConn. In a program not traditionally recognized as a powerhouse, Diaz has remarkably stepped in to lead after Mike Elko’s departure to Texas A&M. Since taking over, Diaz has gone 18-9, captaining Duke to a conference championship and a successful bowl appearance.
Still, the bright spotlight that accompanies such recognition could carry some risks. Curtright notes that the heightened attention might tempt Diaz to pursue opportunities elsewhere if the 2026 season shows continued momentum. Duke’s coach could become a “candidate for a better job” should he keep building on the current foundation and deliver another strong year.
In the broader ACC landscape, North Carolina’s Bill Belichick—yes, the 74-year-old coach—finished last at No. 17 after a 4-8 showing in 2025. His tenure, marked by an unconventional hire, will need to prove its worth if decision-makers in Chapel Hill are to remain convinced.
Within the state, NC State’s Dave Doeren and Wake Forest’s Jake Dickert landed at No. 11 and No. 8, respectively, making Diaz the highest-ranked head coach in North Carolina. If Diaz sustains this upward trajectory, there could indeed be something special taking shape in Durham in the near future.
This recap originally appeared on Duke Wire, under the headline noting Manny Diaz’s inclusion among the ACC’s top head coaches for improved searchability.