Head Coach Mario Cristobal joined the CanesInSight Podcast this morning to discuss the team. A transcript of the discussion is below:
DMoney:
All right, we’re here with the head football coach of the Miami Hurricanes, coming off a program-record 13-win season. Coach Mario Cristobal, how we doing?
Mario Cristobal:
Doing great. Appreciate you having me on the show. As you can imagine, the Canes are full throttle in offseason workouts.
DMoney:
It was a three-month sprint from SMU. Four ACC games where not only you can't lose, you have to blow teams out to look good. The margin for error was basically zero.
During that time you’re signing a top-10 high school recruiting class, waiting on Selection Sunday, getting ready for three straight road games away from the Rock against top-10 opponents, signing a top-five portal class, playing in front of 33 million people against Indiana — and then you still have to go get your quarterback.
You’re a grinder. You live for this. You signed up for this. Was this the craziest nonstop three-month stretch of your career?
Mario Cristobal:
(pauses) Go Canes. We were building toward having the opportunity to do things like that, and it’s a credit to everyone in the building — players, coaches, support staff, everybody.
There’s really no complaint. You’re happy exhausted, and that’s the right kind. That’s what you want. That’s what you live for. There’s nothing better than being a Miami Hurricane and advancing the program the way we are.
It leaves you with positive anger — a desire to get back to work the right way and improve. It was a lot, but I can honestly say it was a lot of fun. It was powerful, game-changing, and something we can build on.
Watching those big guys dancing in confetti, grinding through adversity, and getting ready for the next one — I’m really proud of this team and this organization.
DMoney:
Talking to you offline, you don’t look ready for a break. Before we turn the page, what did this group — especially the seniors and the guys heading to the NFL — mean for getting the program back on track?
Mario Cristobal:
When you walk into a situation where the program is 5-7, you either run toward the fight or away from it. Those guys ran straight into it.
That kind of growth isn’t normal development. It’s real resilience. It builds a conviction that no matter what’s in the way, no matter the obstacles, you’ll find a way because the people around you think the same way.
They approached every game with urgency. They were determined to out-hit the opponent. They worked harder and improved in a lot of areas. In others, we still need growth — pre-snap discipline and post-snap IQ.
But on game day, they learned to cut it loose and play Miami Hurricane football. I couldn’t be more proud of them, and I’m excited to see a lot of them get drafted.
DMoney:
You were in front of 33 million people during this run — the biggest non-NFL sporting event in 10 years. Everyone was watching: the NFL, other schools.
Despite that exposure, your roster retention was unbelievable — keeping guys who could’ve gone high in the draft and keeping others out of the portal. How were you able to hold it together?
Mario Cristobal:
It’s a testament to the people here, the success the players have had, and the clear trajectory of the program. We’re honest and transparent in everything we do.
With the portal, it takes two to tango. Every departure is different. Sometimes a position is stacked. Sometimes a guy doesn’t fit. Sometimes it’s just time. We don’t air people’s business. We help them find the right opportunity, here or elsewhere.
As long as everything stays above board, the process stays smooth. If someone wants to take shots, they’ll get it right back.
We retained all of our starters and added more talent through both the portal and high school recruiting.
On the NFL side, there could’ve been one or two more departures, but eligibility didn’t work out the way we expected. We also had guys come back who understood the model — like Akheem Mesidor and Cam Ward — players who improved their draft stock by returning.
You can talk about development all you want, but until you prove it, it doesn’t matter.
And let’s be honest — we’re in Coral Gables, Florida. Anyone who steps on this campus knows it’s one of one. There’s nothing else like it.
Peter Ariz:
South Florida recruiting has been a priority for you since day one. For a while, it felt like people were in wait-and-see mode. Is it different now walking into these schools with proof on the field?
Mario Cristobal:
When we arrived in 2022, that was the hardest thing to digest. Miami had fallen to Tier 3 in the eyes of some influential players and decision-makers.
The players who believed, who saw the vision and wanted to be agents of change, changed that perception.
For years, Miami got pushed around — taking players that didn’t quite fit and missing out on higher-end talent. Those days are over.
There’s no time for shenanigans. We have a proven product. Our players are great ambassadors for their families, the university, and the community. They succeed on the field, with NIL, and with reputation and stature.
The message is clear: we do great business, we do right by players, and they’re competing for the highest honors. Miami is positioned where elite players — especially local ones — should want to be.
DMoney:
You used to be the guy pushing Miami around at Alabama, getting Calvin Ridley-type players. (laughs) Nice to have you on this side now.
Mario Cristobal:
Every decision is difficult. When I left Miami for Alabama (in 2013), it was an assessment, not judgment.
I felt staying would keep me stuck as part of the problem instead of becoming part of the solution. The goal was always to be the head coach at Miami. I needed to learn what modern football had become.
So I left, learned, grew, and I’m still learning. That move was absolutely critical.
And yes — we did take some of your players.
Peter Ariz:
Coach, quarterback room. Obviously, you have Darian Mensah coming in, but we also have to talk about the room as a whole. You’ve got guys coming back, another young guy in Dereon Coleman as well. How excited are you about the depth of that room overall?
Mario Cristobal:
That room has us through-the-roof excited. Watching those guys run around, throw the football, and seeing who they’re throwing it to, who’s protecting them, who’s running the ball behind them — it’s exciting.
It would be hard-pressed to find a better collection of people and talent. They can really rip it. They can extend plays, go off script, do their thing, but they’re also accurate. They have great pocket presence, and they all bring a strong locker room presence.
They’ve got great personalities, leadership qualities, and competitiveness. That room is fun to be around, and we’re really excited about what it can become.
DMoney:
I’ve heard NFL people talk about building a wide receiver room like a basketball team — different body types, different roles. You go out and get a Cam Vaughn, a longer guy who can go up and get it. Vandrevius Jacobs, a field stretcher. Cooper Barkate, who does everything well. Plus the young guys you’ve recruited. Is that variety by design?
Mario Cristobal:
It is. And I want to start by saying I’m really going to miss CJ Daniels and Keelan Marion. I absolutely love those guys. They were culture changers and game changers for us.
CJ Daniels’ catch in the opening game will forever be one of the most iconic catches. His third-down catch and run on the screen against Ohio State — that’s winning football. I could go on and on about him. And Keelan — both guys were unselfish, tough, hard workers. They did everything the right way.
Now, looking at the group moving forward, you’ve got Josh Moore, who we expect to be an absolute monster. Daylyn Upshaw, before he got hurt, was one of our more productive young players, and he’s going to be back at full speed soon. We actually had to slow him down the other day because he was trying to go full speed already.
Then you add Milan Parris — 6-5½, might already be 6-6 — with real speed. Tyran Evans, Somourian Wingo, Vance Spafford — explosive guys with size, speed, and catch radius.
That room keeps getting better and better. A lot of credit goes to Coach Beard and Coach Varner for the work they’ve done developing those guys.
And then there’s Malachi Toney — he’s kind of decent. He’s pretty good.
Peter Ariz:
Coach, defensive line-wise, it goes without saying you’re replacing a lot of production there. But you go out and get one of the most productive guys in the country in Damon Wilson. You get Jarquez Carter, who you guys were after hard out of high school. Keona Davis — great body type, played a lot at Nebraska.
Talk about that group coming in. Again, you’re replacing a couple monsters — Jurassic Park, as you call it — so that won’t be easy. What do you like about this group?
Mario Cristobal:
I can’t wait to watch the battles up front because even though some of these guys are young and lack experience, you also mentioned several guys who have a ton of experience. That combination has really been the key to our progress the last couple years — elite young talent mixed with older, mature, experienced players, all growing together.
I think about Armondo Blount — I can’t wait to watch him get after it. Marquise Lightfoot continuing to develop. Booker Pickett. Hayden Lowe is a guy people forget about — he never really had a chance to go last year, but we thought he was one of the more impressive young guys in camp.
Third Scroggins is another one everybody needs to keep on their radar. That guy is relentless. When he got his opportunities, he made big-time plays. People forget the Texas A&M game — he was responsible for that tackle down in the tight red zone. That’s winning football.
Then inside, you look at the guys we’ve loaded up with. You mentioned Keona Davis. Jarquez Carter, who’s now here. Justin Scott going into his third year. We brought in some really high-end interior guys.
Keshawn Stancil is as explosive a young interior player as you’re going to find. Tyson Bacon had a couple injuries, so he’s rehabbing and may be a little delayed, but he’s going to be a factor. Then you’ve got Big Fred Sainteus, Logan Nagle, and the outside guys — Asharri Charles, DeAnthony Lafayette, Big Chuk (Isaac Chukwurah).
That’s what you want it to look like: explosive power, tremendous wingspan and arm length, relentless motors. And our defensive guys are fired up about going against the offensive line every day. That’s how you build a real front.
DMoney:
One of the biggest differences defensively this year was the edge and physicality — the violence the team played with. You brought in guys like Jakobe Thomas who want to hit first and ask questions later. Now you add Thornton, Conrad Hussey, and younger guys like Pruitt and Dylan Day. How important is that mindset?
Mario Cristobal:
We actually put together a tape the other day on physicality — and I said playing with violence. Football violence. People get sensitive about that word, but we’re talking about football.
That’s how we play, and that’s how we teach it. We built a teaching tape so everyone understands exactly what the standard looks like.
Those guys you mentioned flashed last year. Now it’s on them to take another step. We don’t want to pick up where we left off — we want to improve on it.
We’ve got fast, physical, explosive, long body types. High-caliber athletes. Now it’s about putting it all together.
A lot of credit goes to Cory Hetherman. He brought that edge with him. The simplicity of his verbiage, combined with the complexity of his defensive concepts, gives the players clarity to cut it loose. That’s dangerous when you have the right personnel.
He adapted week to week and consistently put players in positions to make plays. The players trust him. They believe in him.
And the rest of the staff has been outstanding — Coach Taylor, Coach Etherige, Coach Harris, Coach Damione Lewis, Coach Terry Jefferson. We’ve got analysts doing great work, too.
We’re ready to get better, and we expect to.
DMoney:
When Miami had success in the past, it felt like some guys came in expecting to jump on the train instead of building it. How do you sustain success and keep hunger when elite recruits are walking into a playoff program?
Mario Cristobal:
That’s the most important question of the offseason.
The guys who just left walked into a 5-7 program. They suffered. They chose to change it. The guys who just arrived walked into the playoffs and a national championship environment and never felt that.
That’s not a judgment — but it’s reality.
The way we handle that is through daily standards. It’s been well documented by people who watch us practice — our demand level, intensity, physicality, and finish are different. And that starts with the coaches.
Complacency is a daily decision. Culture cannot be compromised for anybody — ever.
Everyone has good players. Slogans don’t matter. Declarations don’t matter. Tweets and reposts don’t matter.
Work matters.
Greentree is our secret sauce. The weight room is part of that. That environment isn’t for everyone, but it is for the guys we want here.
And if someone isn’t right, we’ll help them become right — or we’ll find someone else.
Peter Ariz:
You’ve mentioned the staff a few times. You’ve got a couple spots to fill. What’s that process like making sure they fit what you’re building?
Mario Cristobal:
We’re very fortunate to have the staff we have. Those guys are incredible.
But everyone has to be completely in. Philosophically aligned. Like Coach Vrabel said the other day, different personalities are fine — different mentalities are not.
You can’t have emotionally immature people. You need real leaders who are immersed in teaching, who bring energy, and who are involved in players’ lives.
That’s what was demanded of me as an assistant, and that’s what I demand now.
You cannot be too cool to do the work. If you are, you won’t last here.
The secret sauce isn’t the coaches — it’s the players. Our job is to develop them daily, recruit relentlessly, and fight for every inch. Every first down. Every stop. Every score.
You need a 4th-and-1 mentality to coach here. The ones who have it succeed. And we’re lucky to have a building full of those people.
DMoney:
Coach, appreciate the time. The community is fired up. Canes fans all over the world are energized by what they’re seeing.
Mario Cristobal:
I appreciate you guys being there throughout the entire process. Cam [Ghorbi] gives me the Reader’s Digest version of what I need to know, and I think what you guys have done is legitimate journalism.
You’ve chronicled the story instead of creating narratives. That matters, especially for young people.
Programs don’t flip overnight. They take work, structure, and steps. I appreciate your honesty and transparency.
Let’s keep getting better. I’ll see you guys soon. Go Canes. Always.
DMoney:
All right, we’re here with the head football coach of the Miami Hurricanes, coming off a program-record 13-win season. Coach Mario Cristobal, how we doing?
Mario Cristobal:
Doing great. Appreciate you having me on the show. As you can imagine, the Canes are full throttle in offseason workouts.
DMoney:
It was a three-month sprint from SMU. Four ACC games where not only you can't lose, you have to blow teams out to look good. The margin for error was basically zero.
During that time you’re signing a top-10 high school recruiting class, waiting on Selection Sunday, getting ready for three straight road games away from the Rock against top-10 opponents, signing a top-five portal class, playing in front of 33 million people against Indiana — and then you still have to go get your quarterback.
You’re a grinder. You live for this. You signed up for this. Was this the craziest nonstop three-month stretch of your career?
Mario Cristobal:
(pauses) Go Canes. We were building toward having the opportunity to do things like that, and it’s a credit to everyone in the building — players, coaches, support staff, everybody.
There’s really no complaint. You’re happy exhausted, and that’s the right kind. That’s what you want. That’s what you live for. There’s nothing better than being a Miami Hurricane and advancing the program the way we are.
It leaves you with positive anger — a desire to get back to work the right way and improve. It was a lot, but I can honestly say it was a lot of fun. It was powerful, game-changing, and something we can build on.
Watching those big guys dancing in confetti, grinding through adversity, and getting ready for the next one — I’m really proud of this team and this organization.
DMoney:
Talking to you offline, you don’t look ready for a break. Before we turn the page, what did this group — especially the seniors and the guys heading to the NFL — mean for getting the program back on track?
Mario Cristobal:
When you walk into a situation where the program is 5-7, you either run toward the fight or away from it. Those guys ran straight into it.
That kind of growth isn’t normal development. It’s real resilience. It builds a conviction that no matter what’s in the way, no matter the obstacles, you’ll find a way because the people around you think the same way.
They approached every game with urgency. They were determined to out-hit the opponent. They worked harder and improved in a lot of areas. In others, we still need growth — pre-snap discipline and post-snap IQ.
But on game day, they learned to cut it loose and play Miami Hurricane football. I couldn’t be more proud of them, and I’m excited to see a lot of them get drafted.
DMoney:
You were in front of 33 million people during this run — the biggest non-NFL sporting event in 10 years. Everyone was watching: the NFL, other schools.
Despite that exposure, your roster retention was unbelievable — keeping guys who could’ve gone high in the draft and keeping others out of the portal. How were you able to hold it together?
Mario Cristobal:
It’s a testament to the people here, the success the players have had, and the clear trajectory of the program. We’re honest and transparent in everything we do.
With the portal, it takes two to tango. Every departure is different. Sometimes a position is stacked. Sometimes a guy doesn’t fit. Sometimes it’s just time. We don’t air people’s business. We help them find the right opportunity, here or elsewhere.
As long as everything stays above board, the process stays smooth. If someone wants to take shots, they’ll get it right back.
We retained all of our starters and added more talent through both the portal and high school recruiting.
On the NFL side, there could’ve been one or two more departures, but eligibility didn’t work out the way we expected. We also had guys come back who understood the model — like Akheem Mesidor and Cam Ward — players who improved their draft stock by returning.
You can talk about development all you want, but until you prove it, it doesn’t matter.
And let’s be honest — we’re in Coral Gables, Florida. Anyone who steps on this campus knows it’s one of one. There’s nothing else like it.
Peter Ariz:
South Florida recruiting has been a priority for you since day one. For a while, it felt like people were in wait-and-see mode. Is it different now walking into these schools with proof on the field?
Mario Cristobal:
When we arrived in 2022, that was the hardest thing to digest. Miami had fallen to Tier 3 in the eyes of some influential players and decision-makers.
The players who believed, who saw the vision and wanted to be agents of change, changed that perception.
For years, Miami got pushed around — taking players that didn’t quite fit and missing out on higher-end talent. Those days are over.
There’s no time for shenanigans. We have a proven product. Our players are great ambassadors for their families, the university, and the community. They succeed on the field, with NIL, and with reputation and stature.
The message is clear: we do great business, we do right by players, and they’re competing for the highest honors. Miami is positioned where elite players — especially local ones — should want to be.
DMoney:
You used to be the guy pushing Miami around at Alabama, getting Calvin Ridley-type players. (laughs) Nice to have you on this side now.
Mario Cristobal:
Every decision is difficult. When I left Miami for Alabama (in 2013), it was an assessment, not judgment.
I felt staying would keep me stuck as part of the problem instead of becoming part of the solution. The goal was always to be the head coach at Miami. I needed to learn what modern football had become.
So I left, learned, grew, and I’m still learning. That move was absolutely critical.
And yes — we did take some of your players.
Peter Ariz:
Coach, quarterback room. Obviously, you have Darian Mensah coming in, but we also have to talk about the room as a whole. You’ve got guys coming back, another young guy in Dereon Coleman as well. How excited are you about the depth of that room overall?
Mario Cristobal:
That room has us through-the-roof excited. Watching those guys run around, throw the football, and seeing who they’re throwing it to, who’s protecting them, who’s running the ball behind them — it’s exciting.
It would be hard-pressed to find a better collection of people and talent. They can really rip it. They can extend plays, go off script, do their thing, but they’re also accurate. They have great pocket presence, and they all bring a strong locker room presence.
They’ve got great personalities, leadership qualities, and competitiveness. That room is fun to be around, and we’re really excited about what it can become.
DMoney:
I’ve heard NFL people talk about building a wide receiver room like a basketball team — different body types, different roles. You go out and get a Cam Vaughn, a longer guy who can go up and get it. Vandrevius Jacobs, a field stretcher. Cooper Barkate, who does everything well. Plus the young guys you’ve recruited. Is that variety by design?
Mario Cristobal:
It is. And I want to start by saying I’m really going to miss CJ Daniels and Keelan Marion. I absolutely love those guys. They were culture changers and game changers for us.
CJ Daniels’ catch in the opening game will forever be one of the most iconic catches. His third-down catch and run on the screen against Ohio State — that’s winning football. I could go on and on about him. And Keelan — both guys were unselfish, tough, hard workers. They did everything the right way.
Now, looking at the group moving forward, you’ve got Josh Moore, who we expect to be an absolute monster. Daylyn Upshaw, before he got hurt, was one of our more productive young players, and he’s going to be back at full speed soon. We actually had to slow him down the other day because he was trying to go full speed already.
Then you add Milan Parris — 6-5½, might already be 6-6 — with real speed. Tyran Evans, Somourian Wingo, Vance Spafford — explosive guys with size, speed, and catch radius.
That room keeps getting better and better. A lot of credit goes to Coach Beard and Coach Varner for the work they’ve done developing those guys.
And then there’s Malachi Toney — he’s kind of decent. He’s pretty good.
Peter Ariz:
Coach, defensive line-wise, it goes without saying you’re replacing a lot of production there. But you go out and get one of the most productive guys in the country in Damon Wilson. You get Jarquez Carter, who you guys were after hard out of high school. Keona Davis — great body type, played a lot at Nebraska.
Talk about that group coming in. Again, you’re replacing a couple monsters — Jurassic Park, as you call it — so that won’t be easy. What do you like about this group?
Mario Cristobal:
I can’t wait to watch the battles up front because even though some of these guys are young and lack experience, you also mentioned several guys who have a ton of experience. That combination has really been the key to our progress the last couple years — elite young talent mixed with older, mature, experienced players, all growing together.
I think about Armondo Blount — I can’t wait to watch him get after it. Marquise Lightfoot continuing to develop. Booker Pickett. Hayden Lowe is a guy people forget about — he never really had a chance to go last year, but we thought he was one of the more impressive young guys in camp.
Third Scroggins is another one everybody needs to keep on their radar. That guy is relentless. When he got his opportunities, he made big-time plays. People forget the Texas A&M game — he was responsible for that tackle down in the tight red zone. That’s winning football.
Then inside, you look at the guys we’ve loaded up with. You mentioned Keona Davis. Jarquez Carter, who’s now here. Justin Scott going into his third year. We brought in some really high-end interior guys.
Keshawn Stancil is as explosive a young interior player as you’re going to find. Tyson Bacon had a couple injuries, so he’s rehabbing and may be a little delayed, but he’s going to be a factor. Then you’ve got Big Fred Sainteus, Logan Nagle, and the outside guys — Asharri Charles, DeAnthony Lafayette, Big Chuk (Isaac Chukwurah).
That’s what you want it to look like: explosive power, tremendous wingspan and arm length, relentless motors. And our defensive guys are fired up about going against the offensive line every day. That’s how you build a real front.
DMoney:
One of the biggest differences defensively this year was the edge and physicality — the violence the team played with. You brought in guys like Jakobe Thomas who want to hit first and ask questions later. Now you add Thornton, Conrad Hussey, and younger guys like Pruitt and Dylan Day. How important is that mindset?
Mario Cristobal:
We actually put together a tape the other day on physicality — and I said playing with violence. Football violence. People get sensitive about that word, but we’re talking about football.
That’s how we play, and that’s how we teach it. We built a teaching tape so everyone understands exactly what the standard looks like.
Those guys you mentioned flashed last year. Now it’s on them to take another step. We don’t want to pick up where we left off — we want to improve on it.
We’ve got fast, physical, explosive, long body types. High-caliber athletes. Now it’s about putting it all together.
A lot of credit goes to Cory Hetherman. He brought that edge with him. The simplicity of his verbiage, combined with the complexity of his defensive concepts, gives the players clarity to cut it loose. That’s dangerous when you have the right personnel.
He adapted week to week and consistently put players in positions to make plays. The players trust him. They believe in him.
And the rest of the staff has been outstanding — Coach Taylor, Coach Etherige, Coach Harris, Coach Damione Lewis, Coach Terry Jefferson. We’ve got analysts doing great work, too.
We’re ready to get better, and we expect to.
DMoney:
When Miami had success in the past, it felt like some guys came in expecting to jump on the train instead of building it. How do you sustain success and keep hunger when elite recruits are walking into a playoff program?
Mario Cristobal:
That’s the most important question of the offseason.
The guys who just left walked into a 5-7 program. They suffered. They chose to change it. The guys who just arrived walked into the playoffs and a national championship environment and never felt that.
That’s not a judgment — but it’s reality.
The way we handle that is through daily standards. It’s been well documented by people who watch us practice — our demand level, intensity, physicality, and finish are different. And that starts with the coaches.
Complacency is a daily decision. Culture cannot be compromised for anybody — ever.
Everyone has good players. Slogans don’t matter. Declarations don’t matter. Tweets and reposts don’t matter.
Work matters.
Greentree is our secret sauce. The weight room is part of that. That environment isn’t for everyone, but it is for the guys we want here.
And if someone isn’t right, we’ll help them become right — or we’ll find someone else.
Peter Ariz:
You’ve mentioned the staff a few times. You’ve got a couple spots to fill. What’s that process like making sure they fit what you’re building?
Mario Cristobal:
We’re very fortunate to have the staff we have. Those guys are incredible.
But everyone has to be completely in. Philosophically aligned. Like Coach Vrabel said the other day, different personalities are fine — different mentalities are not.
You can’t have emotionally immature people. You need real leaders who are immersed in teaching, who bring energy, and who are involved in players’ lives.
That’s what was demanded of me as an assistant, and that’s what I demand now.
You cannot be too cool to do the work. If you are, you won’t last here.
The secret sauce isn’t the coaches — it’s the players. Our job is to develop them daily, recruit relentlessly, and fight for every inch. Every first down. Every stop. Every score.
You need a 4th-and-1 mentality to coach here. The ones who have it succeed. And we’re lucky to have a building full of those people.
DMoney:
Coach, appreciate the time. The community is fired up. Canes fans all over the world are energized by what they’re seeing.
Mario Cristobal:
I appreciate you guys being there throughout the entire process. Cam [Ghorbi] gives me the Reader’s Digest version of what I need to know, and I think what you guys have done is legitimate journalism.
You’ve chronicled the story instead of creating narratives. That matters, especially for young people.
Programs don’t flip overnight. They take work, structure, and steps. I appreciate your honesty and transparency.
Let’s keep getting better. I’ll see you guys soon. Go Canes. Always.
