CBS Sports names Mario Cristobal among 2023 coaches under most pressure

After a 5-7 2022 season and roster makeover, Mario Cristobal has been named by Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports as one of “Seven college football coaches under the most pressure entering the 2023 season.” All of the seven coaches profiled by Sallee lead programs in Power Five conferences.

Among the other six head coaches are Billy Napier of Florida and Jimbo Fisher of Texas A&M who Miami hosts on September 9. Miami lost 17-9 at Texas A&M in 2022. Florida finished 6-7 in 2022. Miami and Texas A&M were 5-7. Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia were the other programs named by Sallee.

The Buckeyes lost in the College Football Playoff semifinal, Oklahoma and West Virginia finished with below .500 records and Texas was 8-5 in 2022. A win versus Texas A&M in week two would be a huge momentum booster for the 2023 Miami football team. A loss could continue to put pressure on Mario Cristobal.

Miami opens the season at home versus Miami (Ohio), then Texas A&M and followed by Bethune-Cookman week three before concluding non-conference play at Temple on September 23 before a week off. At minimum Miami will need a 3-1 non-conference record to alleviate some of the pressure from its 5-7, 2022 season.

"Mario Cristobal, Miami“The former Hurricane was hired prior to last season to bring “The U” back to national prominence. His first season at his alma mater didn’t go as planned. Miami went 6-7 and was as far from contending for the ACC Coastal title as a snow storm in South Florida.Granted, injuries had a little bit to do with that, but lack of success with its NIL program should (and did) instill a “win now” mentality…A lackluster season in 2023 could make his seat in 2024 incredibly hot.”"

Cristobal is one of the hardest-working coaches. Any pressure from the outside or suggestions that there is any additional stress to what Cristobal puts on himself and his staff would likely be dismissed. The makeover of the roster and particularly the offensive line fits the point by Sallee of a win-now mentality for Miami.

Cristobal has the dual goals of winning now and seeing the big picture to build the Miami roster for the future to have a program that sustains success. Miami has added depth to be able to absorb more injuries in 2023. Cristobal stated after the spring game on Friday night that Miami will continue to be aggressive in the transfer portal.

Expect a run-stuffing defensive tackle and playing making wide receiver on the outside to be the priorities for Miami adding any transferxs this spring and potentially into the summer. Miami has added eight transfers since the end of the 2022 season. Center Matt Lee and guard Javion Cohen provide experience on the OL.