Mario Cristobal moved from sixth to third in the 2025 CBS Sports coaching rankings published last week. Cristobal has led Miami to steady improvement in his three seasons. Miami was 5-7 in 2022, 6-7 in 2023 and had a huge jump to 10-3 in 2024.
One of the biggest steps for Miami to take will be finishing seasons strong. Miami lost seven of their last 10 in 2022, four of their last five games in 2023, and three of their last four in 2024. Two losses in November last season kept Miami out of the College Football Playoff.
Cristobal is regarded as one of the best recruiters nationally. Anything less than a College Football Playoff berth this season would be a disappointment for Miami. Cristobal continued to prove he's an elite recruiter as Miami signed the 14th-best 2025 class and third-best transfer class.
Quarterback Carson Beck, the Miami wide receiving corps, and the secondary have been completely rebuilt with transfers. All three Miami starters at WR and four of the five secondary positions are likely to have new starters added through the portal during the 2025 offseason.
"Cristobal rose from No. 8 to No. 6 among ACC coaches last season. Now he's up to No. 3 after delivering a 10-win season that had Miami knocking on the door of the CFP. Despite that success, the Hurricanes fell short of the ACC Championship Game, leaving some unfinished business for a team that returns much of its core in 2025. Still, it marked Miami's first double-digit win season since 2017 -- a milestone that warrants this positive re-evaluation. Last year: No. 6 in ACC "Chip Patterson, CBS Sports
Dabo Swinney of Clemson remains first in the CBS Sports ACC Rankings and is third nationally. Jeff Brohm of Louisville is second in the ACC and 17th nationally in the CBS Sports coaching rankings. Louisville won 38-31 at Miami in 2023 and the Hurricanes won 52-45 on the road over the Cardinals in 2024.
Former Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, who is now at SMU, is the fourth-ranked ACC head coach and 22nd nationally, Mike Norvell of Florida State is 25th and fifth and Brett Key of Georgia Tech, who ended Miami's 2024 undefeated season, is sixth and 30th.
Miami hosts Florida State on October 4, Louisville on October 17 after a bye week and is at SMU on November 1. Miami does not play Clemson or Georgia Tech during the 2025 regular season. Clemson was picked as the ACC favorite by the conference's media and Miami was picked second.