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Mike Chiari is the featured Columnist IV for Penn State Football.
AP Photo/Chris Seward
Penn State announced Saturday that it had hired the former University of Miami head football coach as its new defensive coach.
According to the school's official athletics website, he said the following about his arrival at Penn State.
My family and I are going to join the Penn State family. I will work every day to uphold the tradition of Linebacker U, which is an honor. Penn State's defense has been among the nation's best. On a daily basis, I will strive for excellence with our defensive unit. I can't wait to get on the field with this group, to get to know them, and to ultimately develop them as football players, students and young men. Penn State's fans are the best in the country, and I look forward to seeing them in the fall.
Miami came to terms with former Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal to become its new head coach just as they fired their previous head coach, but he was also a former head coach at Miami.
The past three years have been the head coach for Miami, where the 47-year-old has spent the past six seasons. He led the Hurricanes to a bowl game each time.
Miami was ranked as high as 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 last season after going 8-3).
Miami was able to gain some steam last season, but was unable to maintain it this season and finished the regular season with a.500 record.
Before becoming the head coach at Miami, he was the Hurricanes' defensive coach. He was a DC at Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State, Texas and Louisiana Tech.
The Penn State team that was ranked as high as No. 4 this season was disappointing and finished the regular season at.500.
The Nittany Lions ranked seventh in the nation in allowing just 16.8 points per game.
Pry was named head coach at Virginia Tech last month and will be replaced by Diaz.
