Sierra College

Daniel Diaz enters his 19th year in coaching and 11th season on staff at Sierra College. 2024 will be his 8th as Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach for the Wolverines, after 3 seasons of coaching the Wide Receivers. 

Sierra's explosive offense is typically at or near the top of the NorCal conference in several major statistical categories every year under Coach Diaz. During the 2022 season Sierra led the NorCal conference in rushing, passing, and total offense. The Wolverines also finished #1 in the state in 3rd down conversion percentage, and Quarterback Michael Wortham was named conference Offensive Player of the Year and an All-American. In 2021, Sierra led NorCal in scoring, total offense, passing yards, and passing TD's. The numbers have come against some of the stiffest competition in the state - in both 2022 and 2023 the Wolverines put up more points against Northern California champ San Mateo than anyone else in their entire season.

12 offensive players have earned All-State recognition during Diaz's tenure. including 6 who also earned All-America honors. 

"We like to keep things simple so our players can master the learning curve quickly and showcase their skills sooner. I want guys playing as fast as possible without having to think about what to do - in our system they'll know their jobs and feel comfortable executing in high-pressure situations," said Diaz of the Wolverine's offensive philosophy.

As a position coach, Diaz has mentored 14 All-Conference players at Sierra, including Adrian Lopez (Lincoln/Stockton), Jesse Espinoza (Del Campo), Nick Scalise (Oak Ridge HS, UTEP), Anthony Davalos (Williams HS), Chad Bagwell (Lincoln HS, Idaho), Ryan Tantum (Bear River HS, UNLV), Cesar Moreno (Reed HS, Coastal Carolina), Carlos Barraza (Reno HS, Portland State), Pat Nevin (Placer HS, Dickinson State), Isaiah Bailey (Jesuit HS, Sacramento State), Devin Gray (Reed HS, Cincinatti), Nesly Ovincy (McNeese State), and Tre'von Lampley (Franklin HS, Mayville State). Numerous other players have also earned 4-year scholarships under his tutelage.

Prior to arriving at Sierra, Diaz spent four seasons at James Logan High School in the Bay Area as the Offensive Coordinator, coaching the Quarterbacks. JLHS ran up a 37-10 record during his tenure, including 3 MVAL championships. In 2012 JLHS finished as NCS Div I runner-up to De la Salle HS, and with a #2 ranking in the entire Bay Area. That season quarterback Jeffery Prothro was an All-Metro selection and accounted for 40 TD's compared to only 5 INTs.

Diaz got his start in coaching at Woodland High School from 2005-2008 serving as JV Head Coach. During this time, earned his B.S. in Exercise Biology from UC Davis and followed that with a California Teaching Credential from Sacramento State. He would later go on to add two Master's degrees, in Kinesiology and in Math Education. Diaz played safety at UC Davis, where in 2003 he was named a top scholar-athlete, after graduating from Half Moon Bay HS in Half Moon Bay, CA.

In addition to his coaching duties, Diaz serves as a faculty member in the Kinesiology department. He spent 11 years teaching high school Math and P.E. at Center HS in Antelope as well as at James Logan HS. Coach Diaz resides in Sacramento with his wife Hillary and daughters Makenna (4) and Halle (1).