Coach Mario Cristobal steers the Miami Hurricanes forward, ditching past glories. A National Championship quest fuels intensity, pushing players beyond expectations with a renewed roster.
Coming off a National Championship appearance, coach Mario Cristobal has successfully turned the Miami Hurricanes around. After years of not contending and barely living up to the program's legacy, a new chapter is emerging.
When people mention "The U" potentially being back, it makes Cristobal "cringe." Instead, the former Hurricanes offensive lineman is looking to keep things moving forward with progression.
"We're always trying to get to the point where Miami is here," he said on the Mac and Murray CFB Show on Tuesday. "I've been away for 20 years, more than that. I would just watch afar all the talk [about], "Is 'the U' going to be back?" What do you mean back? We don't go backwards, we go forward."
The Hurricanes were known to play with swagger and violence throughout the late 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. The game of college football has changed throughout time, but coach Cristobal delivers a similar message to the players currently: play with intensity and leave everything on the field. It was on full display on the road towards a National Championship, especially on the defensive side.
The history of the Hurricanes is great, which makes the pressure internally greater than the outside noise.
"We always knew it was going to be a process to start climbing and putting ourselves in a situation where we could do some of the things we did this year," coach Cristobal added. "I've never been affected by outside stuff. What about the outside? If they aren't in there with us at five [in the morning], kicking a-- in workouts, and grinding, they're not part of the equation."
"The outside stuff has been blocked off."
The Hurricanes' run towards a National Championship, despite falling short, brings more attention. They revamped the roster, especially with securing another top-market transfer portal quarterback in Darian Mensah.
Plus, the schedule is essentially weaker compared to last season. It's the perfect opportunity to bring the program its first-ever ACC championship, which Mensah recently delivered for the Duke Blue Devils. Despite a few key departures to the NFL, especially star edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., the depth of the Hurricanes looks to step up, along with a top-10 high school recruiting class.
The program hasn't won a National Championship since the 2001 season. However, last season's run is an indication that there's unfinished business. It will be interesting to evaluate how the new roster meshes together once spring training opens.
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