Expect Mario Cristobal to be methodical searching for new defensive coordinator

There is a lot of speculation around potential candidates to replace Lance Guidry as Miami defensive coordinator. The one expectation should be that Mario Cristobal will be methodical in his search for Guidry's replacement. Guidry and Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson were not hired until February 2023.

Dawson replaced Josh Gattis and Guidry replaced co-defensive coordinators Charlie Strong and Kevin Steele after Cristobal's inaugural season in 2022. It took Cristobal about two months to replace them. While there was a lot of speculation and lists of who Cristobal would target, Dawson and Guidry went mostly under the radar.

Cristobal was methodical in his search and the candidates he targeted were slow to leak to the media. While there are some obvious candidates like TCU defensive coordinator Andy Avalos who held the same position under Cristobal at Oregon, do not be surprised if Cristobal goes off the grid for Guidry's replacement.

With the Early National Signing Period completed Cristobal can be more methodical than when National Signing Day in February was the only time players could sign National Letters of Intent. None of the 2025 Miami signees have asked out of their commitments since Guidry was fired on Tuesday morning.

The transfer portal closed on December 28 for teams who did not play in bowl games or the College Football Playoffs. For teams that competed in the postseason players have five days after they completed their season to enter the transfer portal. There is no deadline for players to announce their next program.

No other defensive staff was announced as dismissed as of now. The expectation should likely be that any new defensive coordinator will want to hire their own staff. Defensive line coaches Joe Salave'a and Jason Taylor are the most likely to remain on staff. Taylor could be a candidate for defensive coordinator.