Consensus speculation on podcasts and from multiple Miami football beat reporters expect a decision on the future Hurricanes head coach to be made this weekend. Oregon and head coach Mario Cristobal play Utah in the Pac 12 Championship game on Friday night. Miami could hear from Cristobal on Saturday.
Speculation is that Cristobal has been contacted behind the scenes regarding returning to Miami to become the Hurricanes head coach. Miami head coach Manny Diaz is likely waiting in limbo with the Hurricanes depending on what decision Cristobal makes. Several Miami-centric podcasts have discussed the situation.
Last month Mike Ryan Ruiz of the Dan LeBatard Show reported that the Miami athletic department is committed to adding $20-30 million more to the Hurricanes football program per year than is currently committed. How the money would be distributed within the football program would be determined.
Coaching changes can move quickly. Lincoln Riley coached Oklahoma against Oklahoma State last Saturday night. Less than 24 hours later Riley announced he was leaving Oklahoma for USC. A day later, Brian Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU less than 48 hours after the final Fighting Irish game of the 2021 regular season.
David Lake and Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U had an extensive conversation about what to expect this weekend and a potential timeline regarding Cristobal and a potential new Miami athletic director being named in the few days to follow. In the meantime, Diaz and his staff are continuing to recruit.
Things don’t always appear as they really are. Sometimes you have to trust the process and chill. #UM pic.twitter.com/bqJPc5IclN
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) December 3, 2021
Early National Signing Day is December 15. A decision needs to be made quickly for Miami to maintain the eight commits they currently have and to potentially secure any future players with less than two weeks to Early National Signing Day. Miami is also falling behind with any potential transfers.
Miami has been criticized for how they have handled the potential coaching search and recruitment of a new athletic director. If Miami hires Cristobal most of the criticism would be alleviated. Hiring a new athletic director would become the next focus to be scrutinized. We should learn more in the next 24 hours.