Mario Cristobal's road back to the sport's biggest stage has had a lot of stops, but as Miami prepares for the College Football Playoff national championship, the Hurricanes coach was asked about his time at FIU.
Cristobal, speaking at his weekly press conference in Coral Gables, reflected on getting fired at FIU and how that setback helped shape the coach he is now.
"You know, I'm pretty stubborn. Always have been stubborn," Cristobal said. "In my mind, we were going to win a national championship there. And people would look at me like I was crazy."
"Sometimes if you don't move and God wants you to move, he'll kick you so you can move," Cristobal said. "For whatever reason, that's the way it worked out. And it was a blessing because I had the opportunity to go learn under Coach Saban, and then eventually end up at the University of Oregon. Blessed to be there. And it all led back here to the University of Miami."
Mario Cristobal on getting fired at FIU:
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) January 13, 2026
"Sometimes if you don't move and God wants you to move, He'll kick you so you can move... It was a blessing because I had the opportunity to go learn under Coach Saban... and it all led back to here"#GoCanes #NationalChampionship… pic.twitter.com/73x4gv36DT
Mario Cristobal has been the head coach at FIU, Oregon and Miami
Cristobal was FIU's head coach from 2007-12. But, FIU fired him on Dec. 5, 2012, after a 3-9 season. Cristobal went 27-47 in six seasons, though he took the Panthers to their first two bowl games before that final campaign.
That dismissal opened the door for Cristobal.
Alabama announced his hiring in February 2013, with Nick Saban bringing Cristobal in as the Crimson Tide's offensive line coach and assistant head coach. Cristobal ultimately spent four seasons on Saban's staff, part of a coaching tree that has dominated the playoff era.
From there, Cristobal's climb continued. Oregon named him its head coach in December 2017. And in December 2021, Miami officially brought him home to lead his alma mater, leaning into the idea that Cristobal's experiences elsewhere would help push the Hurricanes back toward the sport's top tier.
The Hurricanes will face unbeaten Indiana in the CFP national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.