Diaz Meets with Media Ahead of First Spring Practice

DURHAM – Duke football head coach Manny Diaz met with members of the media on Tuesday afternoon to give a program update before Duke officially begins spring practice.

"I know this is a big week for the round ball that bounces, but it's actually a big week for the pointy ball that takes funny bounces as well", Diaz said. "We start spring practice on Friday, and we've had a terrific start to the spring semester. That is always going to start with David Feeley. That's why it was so crucial in his decision to stay here at Duke. Our players set personal records in a lot of our lifts, so I think the guys are feeling really confident that we're a stronger version of ourselves than we've been. Then in our off-season workouts, seeing our level of 'will we compete' and 'will we fight for each other' and I thought our guys did that at a really high level."

The Blue Devils will use the allotted 15 practice sessions allowed by the NCAA during the spring in preparation for the 2024 season. One of those practice sessions will be devoted to the team's Blue & White Game, which is set for Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m. Additional information on the Blue & White Game will be released at a later date.

"Like everyone else we'll get the 15 days to try and walk out of the spring semester at least establishing an identity of who we are schematically and how we want to do things," Diaz added. "I think our players through the early installs have got a good idea of the new schemes but there is no substitute for getting on the grass and just doing it. That's what we're all looking forward to."

Diaz enters his first year at the helm of the Blue Devil program. In his 26 years of coaching, three have been spent as a head coach and 15 as a defensive coordinator, including 10 at the FBS Power 5 level. Diaz has coached in 21 bowl games, including two BCS national championship games, and led the Miami Hurricanes to three consecutive bowl appearances during his time as head coach.

"The new staff has really acclimated themselves well," Diaz said. "It's been great to see those guys around and building connections with the players. We're craving that as a staff and they're craving that as players so step-by-step we're becoming a closer program."

The Blue Devils open the 2024 season hosting Elon at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on Friday, Aug. 30. Duke will also have additional home games against Connecticut (Saturday, Sept. 14), North Carolina (Saturday, Sept. 28), Florida State (Friday, Oct. 18), SMU (Saturday, Oct. 26) and Virginia Tech (Saturday, Nov. 23).

2024 Duke Spring Football Practices
Practice 1 – Friday, March 22
Practice 2 – Saturday, March 23
Practice 3 – Tuesday, March 26
Practice 4 – Thursday, March 28
Practice 5 – Saturday, March 30
Practice 6 – Tuesday, April 2
Practice 7 – Thursday, April 4
Practice 8 – Saturday, April 6
Practice 9 – Tuesday, April 9
Practice 10 – Thursday, April 11
Practice 11 – Saturday, April 13
Practice 12 – Tuesday, April 16
Practice 13 – Thursday, April 18
Practice 14 – Friday, April 19
Practice 15 – Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m. – Blue & White Game

To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".

Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.

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Diaz Meets with Media Ahead of First Spring Practice

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