Mario Cristobal plummets in ACC Coaching rankings

Mario Cristobal fell from third to eighth in the 2023 ACC Coaching Rankings published by Will Backus of CBS Sports on Monday. The 5-7, 2022 season and other coaches leading their teams to successful years caused Cristobal to fall in the rankings. Cristobal previously fell from 19th to 39th in the national rankings.

There is hope entering the 2023 season after Miami signed the seventh best recruiting class and seventh best transfer class in the most recent cycle. The 5-7 2022 season has seemed to impact the 2024 Miami class. Miami currently has the 31st ranked 2024 recruiting class per the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Mario Cristobal is going to have to lead Miami to an exceptional season to move back up the coaching rankings. A positive season will also likely be required for Miami to convince many of the prospects that they are involved with to sign with them. Cristobal has flipped about half the Miami football roster in the last two cycles.

About half the Miami coaching staff is new entering the 2023 season. Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson are expected to implement more aggressive styles of play in 2023. Miami also has a new running back, wide receiver, tight end, defensive line and linebacker coach.

"8 Miami (Fla.)“Mario Cristobal (39 overall): What a difference a year makes. Cristobal debuted in the top three of last year’s ACC coach rankings but plummets after a sorry first year at Miami. It was his first losing season as a full-time Power Five coach, and the Hurricanes finished just above Virginia and Virginia Tech in the ACC Coastal standings.They lost at home to Middle Tennessee State and beat just one FBS team that finished with a winning record. Cristobal recruited well, so the hope is Miami takes a leap in his second season. Last year: 3 in the ACC.”"

Cristobal needs to (re)stablish Miami as one of the elite programs in the ACC. Miami faces a difficult schedule that is backloaded. Miami hosts Texas A&M in September and Clemson in October. Trips to North Carolina and North Carolina State and a visit from Louisville in November will be difficult.

Miami has an opportunity to start the season 5-0 if they can defeat Texas A&M. Miami opens the season against Miami (Ohio), followed by Texas A&M, Bethune-Cookman and concludes non-conference play on September 23 at Temple. Georgia Tech travels to Hard Rock Stadium for the 2023 ACC opener.