Mario Cristobal named coach most likely to win big later

Mario Cristobal has quickly upgraded the talent on the Miami football roster. Miami signed the 16th best class according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. The Hurricanes signed 14 true freshmen and 11 transfers in the Class of 2022. CBS Sports named Cristobal as one of two coaches “Most likely to win big later.”

Miami will likely enter the 2022 season as the co-favorites to win the ACC Coastal Division. Clemson should be the ACC favorite. The Tigers are more vulnerable than they have been recently after finishing 10-3 in 2021 and failing to win the ACC Atlantic. Winning the Coastal would be a good accomplishment for Miami.

If Miami can get to the ACC Championship game the Hurricanes would have a chance to challenge Clemson. Miami plays at Clemson on November 19. The Hurricanes have been outscored 138-20 in the last three games against the Tigers. Miami will get a late-season barometer of where the program is at against Clemson.

Miami should move in a positive direction under Mario Cristobal. In his four seasons as the Oregon head coach, Cristobal signed an average of the 10.5 ranked freshmen class per season. Miami should be expected to at least match that class average or exceed it. Chip Patterson summarized what to expect for Miami.

"Most likely to win big laterMario Cristobal, Miami “There’s an argument that Cristobal carries ACC Coastal championship expectations in Year 1. However, that’s not “win big” status when you consider the perceived gap between the Hurricanes and Clemson, even as the Tigers look to rebound in 2022 after failing to win the ACC for the first time since 2014…But the good news for Miami and Florida fans is that there is plenty to suggest that Cristobal and (Florida head coach Billy) Napier are the right coaches to lead those programs back to big-time success.Both have made impressive investments in their coaches and support staff, quickly making their impact felt long before the first snap of competitive football. If those investments pay off, then we should see both of these proud programs back in the mix for championships in the coming years.”"

Improving the Miami roster and changing the culture are the first two priorities for Cristobal and his staff. Miami has to concentrate on winning the Coastal before it can be concerned with Clemson. A September 17 game at Texas A&M will provide Cristobal and his staff with an early barometer for the Miami football program.

Cristobal has been praised for the staff he hired. Miami has a staff of relentless recruiters. Cristobal is building the Miami football program with his vision. Miami is building a program with the vision Cristobal has. Earlier this week, Cristobal spoke about the commitment to facility upgrades Miami is making.

On Thursday Miami announced that Hurricanes legend Alonzo Highsmith was returning to the program as the general manager of football operations. The main role for Highsmith will be overseeing talent evaluation for Miami. Highsmith will work closely with Cristobal and athletic director Dan Radakovich.