Replying to a tweet from former Miami defensive lineman Dan Sileo, Dwayne Johnson, stated that he and current Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal was a great teammate and workout partner and that they used to push each other in the weight room and practice. Johnson expects Cristobal to lead Miami to greatness.
Mario Cristobal and Dwayne Johnson were teammates at Miami from 1990 through 1992. With Cristobal and Johnson on the Miami roster, the Hurricanes won the 1991 national championship and lost in the 1993 Sugar Bowl, the defacto 1992 title game. Sileo played for Miami in the mid-1980s.
Miami lost the 1986 Sugar Bowl and 1987 Fiesta Bowl. If Miami had won those games they would have been the National Champions. Following their Miami careers, Cristobal and Johnson went in completely different directions after neither found success as professional football players. They took a while to find their niches.
Following his Miami career, Cristobal spent two seasons with the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe. Johnson Johnson was cut during his first season with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. After his playing career ended Cristobal was offered a job as a Secret Service Agent following a two-year application process in 1998.
Brother Sil!! @coach_cristobal was the absolute best teammate and workout partner. We got after it in the weight room and kick each other’s asses in practice. Made each other better. I’m proud of his success and I believe he will guide our Canes to greatness. #Umentality
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 7, 2022
Cristobal was in his first-year as a graduate assistant with the Miami football program when he decided to turn down the position with the Secret Service. Cristobal said his goodbyes to the Miami players but changed his mind the next morning. That began what has become a very successful coaching career for Cristobal.
Johnson was a third generation wrestler. He began his wrestling career in 1996. The Wresting career set a foundation for Johnson to become the highest paid actor this year according to Forbes. The praise by Johnson for Cristobal goes back to his former teammate being hired by Oregon in 2017.
Pro and College Football Hall of Fame head coach Jimmy Johnson also praised the hire of Cristobal. Cristobal has been able to hire big names for his staff and create more interest in the Miami football program. The challenge for Cristobal once the season begins in continue to keep Miami being discussed nationally.