Coaching Experience
Mario Cristobal was hired by the Miami Hurricanes after they parted ways with Manny Diaz after three years at the University of Miami. Cristobal is brought to Miami to revive what was lost when putting on the Orange and Green helmet, known as the U.
Mario is reunited with his alma mater, just 30 years later after hanging it up for the last time as a player. His coaching began where he left off, coaching the Hurricanes as a graduate assistant from 1998-2000. From there he was hired by Rutgers as a OT/TE coach. Then in year three, Mario transitioned to O-Line coach in 2003. Cristobal then went back to Miami to coach the Canes for three years (from 2004-2006) before finally getting his first head coaching gig for the FIU Panthers. His coaching career at FIU was rough to say the least, losing their first eleven games before beating North Texas, 38-19. His first winning season came in his fourth season, finishing 7-6, and being selected to play in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against Toledo, winning 34-32 thanks to a game-winning field goal. Mario was known as an excellent recruiter by the FIU staff and fans, but he was released from coaching duties after going 8-14 in 22 games.
Mario then went on to coach the Crimson Tide as offensive line coach, having co-offensive coordinator duties and serving as the run-game coordinator. His recruiting again was through the roof, hauling in the number one class according to 247 Sports in every season he was there at Alabama. Cristobal’s offensive line was awarded with numerous awards, including most physical line in the nation in 2015. He coached guys like Ryan Kelly and Cam Robinson, who were all-Americans and went on to be first round picks. He then departed from Alabama and a stacked coaching staff and headed south to coach the Oregon Ducks, with the same duties he had at Alabama. Willie Taggart was fired mid-season on December 5, 2017, and three days later, Mario was named the Ducks head coach. He was voted Pac-12 coach of the year in 2019, posting an 11-2 record, earning a dance to the Rose Bowl after beating Utah. The Ducks went on to beat the Badgers that season, ending the year on a good note. Penei Sewell was named the Outland Trophy winner for his outstanding blocking. The next season, they would win the Pac-12 at 4-2, in a covid-riddled season and lost to Iowa State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Now, Mario finds himself in Miami after signing a 10-year, $80 million contract.
2022 Recruits
Miami holds the 13th ranked class of 2022 recruits coming into the season, headlined by Edge Rusher Cyrus Moss and Defensive Lineman Nyjalik Kelly, both four-star recruits and top 100 individually. Cristobal is known for his recruiting, so expect a big class in 2023, with a full season under his belt. We should know more in the summer dog days, when practice starts, which freshmen to watch out for, but this should be a very strong class. Not only that, the transfer portal has turned into Free Agency frenzy, with NIL deals included, which may or may not be ruining college football.
Schedule Outlook
Miami gets an early test against Texas A&M and Jimbo Fisher at Kyle Field. Then the Canes will jump into ACC conference play three weeks later, opening up against the Tar Heels at home, the Hokies at Lane Stadium, Duke at home, the Cavaliers at Scott Stadium, the Seminoles at home, the Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium, and closing it off against two elite teams in the ACC, the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium and the Panthers at home. The three obvious games to watch out for is the A&M game, Clemson at Memorial, and Pittsburgh at Hard Rock Stadium to close out the year. Some set-up games are Virginia Tech because it’s always a tough road environment and Clemson because of their brand and name.
It should be a very good year for the Canes, but Mario likely won’t turn this team into a playoff team just yet, with it only being four teams making it as well. Let him utilize the talent, recruit, and come back year two with a mindset of a playoff or bust type year. You’re not going to want to miss this season of Canes football.