Mario Cristobal takes a lot of pride in his Cuban-American heritage. The Miami Hurricanes coach is the son of parents, Luis Sr. and Clara, who immigrated to the United States from Cuba in the 1960s. His first language was Spanish.
Being back in Miami and coaching the Hurricanes gives Cristobal additional links to his heritage. The Miami football program's first-ever road game was against the University of Havana on Christmas Eve in 1926.
Cristobal told Rece Davis that he would love to one day hold a football camp in Cuba, but that dream is something that he can't entertain any time soon.
"Maybe there's a path to that one day, but right now, not happening," Cristobal said.
HC Mario Cristobal showing Rece Davis how to get your day started in Miami with some Cuban coffee! ⛽️☕️
— BLEED ORANGE AND GREEN (@Brabra_Savage24) August 12, 2026
ESPN & Rece spent the day with Mario talking ball. #GoCanes🟧_🟩🙌🏽
Go check out the full video: https://t.co/LyLVmZDO0p pic.twitter.com/FCJ6h1vqOB
Mario Cristobal can't see himself going to Cuba under current circumstances
Even if the opportunity presented itself for Cristobal to go to Cuba right now, he told Davis he wouldn't do it. Out of respect for his parents and what his father went through as a political prisoner in the late 1950s. The thought of going back is too much for him to imagine.
"It's a sore subject, but you know...family...that was their everything, and they lost everything as well," Cristobal added. "I kind of want to go, especially fish in those waters, there's supposed to be some great fishing over there, but out of respect to my parents I just won't do it right now."
Cristobal's interview with Davis was a rare moment when the normally buttoned-up coach opened up about his family's history. He credits his parents for the work ethic that he has and the one that he pushes his players to emulate.
The idea of the first Cuban-American coach in the FBS bringing a Miami Hurricanes football camp to Cuba seems like an amazing event. A lot of things have to happen first and Cristobal would even entertain the idea until Cuba's independence is declared, but by putting it out there, it could manifest itself one day. Cristobal comes from a home where anything is possible.
"To me, football is an agent of change," he added.
At this time, Cristobal is focused on making sure the Hurricanes finish the job that started last year. He wants the current Miami football players to have the same feeling of winning a championship that he had as a Hurricane in 1989 and 1991. He talks about this talented team needing to earn everything they get. The work is hard, but in Cristobal's world, there's nothing easy about success.
One day, in a better world, Cristobal will have his opportunity to hold that camp in the country that his parents fled. In a perfect world, he'll be hosting the camp as the first Cuban-American head coach to win a championship in college football.
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