Oddsmakers state Mario Cristobal Top 15 nationally among coaches on hot seat

After the Miami football team lost at Florida State on Saturday Las Vegas oddsmakers rank Mario Cristobal 13th nationally as the “First Coach Fired.” Cristobal is 11-11 in his first two years with Miami. Cristobal being fired after two seasons is beyond unlikely. Miami has shown progress in 2023.

Cristobal is listed at plus 1,400 as the “First coach fired”  by Las Vegas oddsmakers. Other notable coaches on the list are Jeff Hafley of Boston College who is tied for fourth at plus 700, Billy Napier of Florida tied for ninth at plus 1,000 and Dino Babers of Syracuse 12th at plus 1,200. Miami plays at Boston College on November 24.

Miami does not play Syracuse this season. The Orange will host the Hurricanes in 2024. Miami opens the 2024 season on August 31 at Florida. Dave Aranda who has been the head coach at Baylor since 2020 has the top odds of being the next coach fired at plus 500. Tom Allen of Indiana follows Aranda at plus 600.

Another notable name is Ken Wilson of Nevada who is fourth at plus 700. Wilson was on Mario Cristobal’s staff at Oregon in 2020 and 2021. There was some speculation Wilson would join Cristobal at Miami as a potential defensive coordinator before he was hired as head coach at Nevada. Wilson is 4-17 in two years at Nevada.

The odds are interesting, but likely more of an indication of odds makers projecting who will generate interest and where the money will come in from than Cristobal truly being on the hot seat. Two years into a reported 10-year, $80 million contract, it’s extremely doubtful that Miami would fire Cristobal.

Miami does not have the money to eat what is reportedly $62 million on the final six years of his contract. President Julio Frenk and Executive Vice President Rudy Fernandez went all in hiring Cristobal and Athletic Director Dan Radakovich. Expect Cristobal to receive at least another two seasons as head coach.

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