Mario Cristobal returns home to coach Miami (Florida)

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher 

The Miami (Florida) Hurricanes have hired Mario Cristobal as their new head football coach. He replaced Manny Diaz. 

Diaz was disappointed in his departure. He led the team for three seasons before her departure earlier on Monday. 

The former Hurricanes player received a 10-year deal to return to his Alma mater. He’s expected to receive $8 million per season. 

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Mario, his wife, Jessica, and their sons Mario Mateo and Rocco home to Miami,” President Julio 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 on nostalgia for a proud past, but rather in a bold vision for a promising future.

“The characteristics that helped Mario excel as a national championship-winning player—drive, determination, and discipline—continue to propel his success as a coach. 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, who was part of the Hurricanes national championship teams in 1989 and 1991, was 35-13 with the Oregon Ducks. The 51-year-old is 62-60 as a head coach at Oregon and Florida International University. 

“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.”