CFB expert ranks Mario Cristobal in bottom half among ACC Coaches

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal is eighth in the “Ranking the ACC’s College Football Coaches for 2023″ from Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports in an article published on Friday. The ranking for Cristobal seems heavily weighted on the 5-7 season Miami had in 2022 and not the entirety of his career as a head coach.

Mario Cristobal has a 67-67 career record as a head coach, but 40-20 overall in Power Five. Prior to being hired by Miami, Mario Cristobal was 35-13 in four seasons as the head coach at Oregon. Cristobal is setting the foundation for future success with three top 20 recruiting classes since he was hired in December 2020.

The ACC seven head coaches ranked ahead of Cristobal beginning with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney first are followed by Dave Clawson of Wake Forest, Mike Norvell of Florida State, Mack Brown of North Carolina, Pat Narduzzi of Pittsburgh, Jeff Brohm of Louisville and Dave Doeren of North Carolina State.

Brown, Cristobal, Narduzzi and Swinney are the only ACC head coaches that have led their programs to a Power Five conference championship and to New Year’s Six Bowl games. Brown and Swinney are the only current ACC head coaches that have won national championships. Brown won his at Texas.

"8. Mario Cristobal, Miami“Cristobal’s return home didn’t go according to plan last season. The ‘Canes finished a disappointing 5-7 and lost three out of their last four games – all by 26 points or more. However, with Miami investing more in the program (coach salaries and facilities especially), this wasn’t expected to be a one-year fix for Cristobal.The long-term outlook is promising thanks to a standout ’23 recruiting class, as well as Cristobal’s work at Oregon (35-13 from 2017-21). Counting a 27-47 stint at FIU from 2007-12, Cristobal’s overall record as a FBS head coach sits at 67-67 going into ’23.”"

The investment in the facilities is expected to pay dividends long term. Cristobal turned over nearly half the coaching staff during the offseason. When he was hired Cristobal reportedly demanded an increase in the salary pool for his assistant coaches. Miami hired Shannon Dawson on offense and Lance Guidry on defense for 2023.

Cristobal and his staff signed the top Class in the ACC in 2023. Miami currently has the 15th-ranked class nationally and third in the ACC behind Clemson and Florida State. Miami signed the seventh-ranked 2023 class and transfer class. Several of the transfers are expected to start for the Miami football team in 2023.

ACC Kickoff is this week in Charlotte. Cristobal will appear with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, center Matt Lee and safety Kamren Kinchens to answer questions on Tuesday. ACC Kickoff will conclude on Thursday. Following the conclusion of ACC Kickoff the All-Conference teams and 2023 projections will be released.