CORAL GABLES – Mario Cristobal is back at the U.
As one of the program’s most decorated, heralded, and respected offensive linemen in its illustrious history, the former Oregon head coach has officially made the transition to be the next head coach for the Miami Hurricanes.
University of Miami school president Julio Frenk released a statement to make this move official.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Mario, his wife, Jessica, and their sons Mario Mateo and Rocco home to Miami,” Frenk said. “Mario’s legacy as a student-athlete at the U is well established. And the standard for competitive excellence that he and his teammates helped establish is one to which we continue to aspire. Our selection, however, was not one based in nostalgia for a proud past, but rather in a bold vision for a promising future.”
Frenk had more to say about the rather quick transition from the Manny Diaz Era to the Mario Cristobal Era, which all happened this morning (Dec. 6).
“The characteristics that helped Mario excel as a national championship-winning player—drive, determination, and discipline—continue to propel his success as a coach,” Frenk said. “In Mario we have found a head coach who shares our belief in providing student-athletes with the very best opportunities to succeed on and off the field, and our commitment to winning at the highest level.”
Cristobal shared his thoughts on coming back to his alma mater.
“My family and I are excited to return home to the University of Miami, which has been so instrumental in shaping me as a person, player, and coach,” Cristobal said. “This program has an unparalleled tradition and an exciting future ahead of it. I can’t wait to compete for championships and help mold our student-athletes into leaders on and off the field who will make our university, our community, and our loyal fan base proud.”
The next major moves for Miami‘s football program to make are at the following positions:
•Athletic Director
•Offensive Coordinator
•Defensive Coordinator
Miami does not have an athletic director at this time due to its recent firing of former AD Blake James, which happened on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
Meanwhile, about two weeks after James was terminated by the Hurricanes athletic program, former offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee accepted an offer to be the head coach at SMU. This occurred on Monday, Nov. 29.
And earlier this morning (Dec. 6), Manny Diaz was fired as both the Miami head coach and defensive coordinator.
Stay tuned for further official updates on Cristobal’s introductory press conference, plus more on who the new athletic director, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator for Miami will be in the coming hours, days, and weeks ahead.
PHOTO CREDITS: Canes Football
