In many ways, Mississippi State co-defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is a lot like his new boss, head coach Dan Mullen.

Both are high-energy guys with a passion for football and neither is bashful about expressing themselves on issues concerning the Bulldogs and college football as a whole.

Both are young and are outside-the-box thinkers, Mullen on offense, Diaz on defense. Both are aggressive to a fault.

Diaz visited the Mississippi State alumni gathering at the Vicksburg Convention Center on Wednesday, one of his many stops on the “rubber chicken” circuit since his hiring in January.