Mario Cristobal has clearly gotten over his "big game" curse and, just like that, has led the Miami Hurricanes to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.
After the Canes' completely dominant win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals, Cristobal was a picture of complete and utter joy. However, he made sure to pay his respects to those who got him to where he is, mainly, legendary Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson.
Johnson coached the Hurricanes from 1984 until 1988, winning the National Championship in 1987. One year after he left Miami for the head coaching job with the Dallas Cowboys, Cristobal arrived on campus as a linebacker for the Canes.
Mario Cristobal and Jimmy Johnson are Miami through and through
Cristobal went on to win two National Championships at Miami, and he is currently on track to take the Canes back to the biggest game of the year.
Johnson recruited Cristobal to come play for Miami, along with his brother, and after the win over Ohio State, he made sure to thank the Hall of Fame head coach for everything he did.
"He changed our lives, my brother and I," Cristobal said. "He offered my brother and I scholarships... 40 years later, and he's out there on the sidelines supporting us. He set such a high standard."
"He changed our lives. My brother and I." ♥️
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 1, 2026
Legendary Jimmy Johnson was in attendance tonight in support of Mario Cristobal and @CanesFootball 👏 pic.twitter.com/uFKQWSuKX6
This is only Cristobal's fourth season as the head coach of his alma mater, and he has already taken the team from a 5-7 overall record to a deep run in the CFP. Cristobal is doing everything he promised, and Johnson's legacy at Miami is living on through him.
Up next, Cristobal and the Hurricanes are set to take on the Ole Miss Rebels, who just upset the Georgia Bulldogs. The semifinal matchup between the two teams is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 8, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.