After a 17-9 loss at Texas A&M by the Miami football team on Saturday with questionable play calling, head coach Mario Cristobal was ripped by local and national media. Miami kicked three field goals in four red zone trips versus Texas A&M. The Hurricanes outgained the Aggies 392-264.
Cristobal and Gattis have both been criticized for being too conservative at their previous stops. As a former Miami offensive lineman, Cristobal prefers a physical team that focuses on running offensively and stopping the run on defense. Gattis’ offenses at Michigan were more run-oriented.
In modern football, balance and being more aggressive in play calling have become more frequent. The Miami offense is more pro-style than what they ran under previous offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee who is now the head coach at SMU. Miami is 99th nationally in total offense this season versus FBS opponents.
Local and national reporters either outright criticized the conservative playcalling from Cristobal and Gattis or mocked the decision-making. Several 2023 recruits have stated they want to see the Miami offense and particularly how well the Hurricanes perform in big games before they make a decision.
Early returns on Mario Cristobal... not great
— Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) September 18, 2022
3rd and 6 and you have a guy run a 2 yard route. Make it make sense.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) September 18, 2022
Good news is if Mario Cristobal can get this team down the field and kick another field goal, they can cover.
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) September 18, 2022
National reporters commented on the clock management by Cristobal and Gattis. Miami remained conservative late in the game down one score. The Hurricanes had a chance to tie the score late after forcing the Aggies to punt with 1:!6 remaining. Cristobal has frequently been criticized for his clock management skills.
Smart of Miami, down 17-9 with under a minute left, to run and throw a crossing pattern less than five yards beyond the line.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) September 18, 2022
Unfortunately for Miami, Mario Cristobal brought his game management skills from Oregon.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/BrentZwerneman/status/1571357509297790976?s=20&t=S-Z6Gkb_6i99fM0cImEczw
Miami fans getting a taste of that sweet, sweet Mario Cristobal Game Management ™ that Oregon fans enjoyed so much
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) September 18, 2022
Cristobal doesn’t care about the criticism as any coach shouldn’t. Miami needs to be less conservative offensively though. Recruits notice the criticism and watch the games to see how the game is called and performances in big games. Miami was competitive but it’s been a long time since Miami won a big non-conference game.
Miami hosts Middle Tennessee State on Saturday. Following a bye week, Miami hosts North Carolina on October 8. Once Miami begins ACC play clock management will be important almost every week. The criticism from the local and national media is not a good look for the Miami football program.