Steve Lassan of Athlon Sports gave the Miami football program hiring Mario Cristobal an A this week while “Grading College Football’s Head Coach Hires for 2022.” LSU hiring Brian Kelly and Lincoln Riley at USC with A+’s were the only programs to get higher grades for new coaching hires than Miami did with Cristobal.
Prior to returning to the Miami football program, where Cristobal was a player and assistant coach, Cristobal had a 35–13 record in four-plus seasons at Oregon. The return of Cristobal will provide Miami with a head coach that understands the Hurricanes’ culture from many perspectives.
The Christopher Columbus High School alum understands the people of South Florida. Cristobal will also improve the recruiting for the Miami football program. When Cristobal was hired in December, the Miami recruiting class ranked in the 70s. By National Signing Day in February Miami moved up to the 15th best class nationally.
Cristobal accomplished more in four seasons at Oregon, than the Miami football program has during its 18 seasons in the ACC. In four seasons with the Ducks, Cristobal won one Rose Bowl, three Pac 12 North titles and two conference titles. Miami has one ACC Coastal title and no conference titles in 18 seasons.
Chatted with former Canes legendary coach Jimmy Johnson (@JimmyJohnson) on the move for UM hiring Mario Cristobal, how Mario can turn things around, his thoughts on Manny Diaz and the big money it took to make the changes at Miami. pic.twitter.com/XsRkBJpWyZ
— Will Manso (@WillMansoWPLG) December 6, 2021
"A: Mario Cristobal, MiamiPrevious Job: Head Coach, OregonNo coach is better suited to lead the way at Miami than Cristobal. He was born in Miami, played as an offensive tackle with the ‘Canes from 1989-92, and later worked in Coral Gables as an assistant from 2004-06.Also, Cristobal is regarded as one of the top recruiters in college football, which should help Miami win battles in South Florida to keep talent at home. Cristobal went 27-47 in a difficult spot at FIU from 2007-12, and after stints as an assistant at Alabama and Oregon, was promoted to top Duck at the end of the ’17 season.Cristobal went 35-13 and won two Pac-12 titles in Eugene."
The expectation with the hiring of Cristobal is that Coastal Division titles will become the norm, ACC Championships and New Year’s Six bowl appearances will become frequent. Other than having Clemson as a dominant team in the ACC, the Pac 12 and ACC are comparable conferences.
Expecting frequent ACC Coastal Division titles with Cristobal as the head coach is not unreasonable for the Miami football program. Cristobal has assembled an all-star staff with Miami. Co-defensive coordinators Kevin Steele and Charlie Strong are highly regarded and have experience as head coaches.
Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis is considered one of the best young minds in college football. The 2022 offseason and spring practice have created a lot of buzz for Miami. When Miami plays its Spring Game on April 16 at DRV PNK Stadium it will be the first time to see the changes for the Hurricanes put into place.