Article: Canes at a Crossroads Under Cristobal.

[joeB954]

So, Mario is on the hot seat? Yeah, hope is the won-loss record continues to improve and we field a playoff team. Hot seat stuff is nonsense unless something crazy happens and the bottom falls out,

First off, who do you replace him with? If the game is about talent and recruiting, who do we hire that’s better? Who will do a better job engaging whoever the big money guys are? Have we forgotten those who preceded and led to mediocrity - Diaz, Richt (deserves a pass), Golden, Randy and Clappy? Best hope Mario succeeds because we’re screwed otherwise.

I read an article mentioning Saban coming back and even going to Miami. If this year doesn’t pan out, throw the bank at Saban. Lock down south Florida for real.

 

[bacane]

I read an article mentioning Saban coming back and even going to Miami. If this year doesn’t pan out, throw the bank at Saban. Lock down south Florida for real.

Better chance digging up Knute Rockne than Saban coaching Miami. And he would have the resources enjoyed at Bama and LSU, so good luck.

 

[dorsey1]

He’s had enough time-He must get to the playoffs this year-

I’ve said from day one he’ll be judged by W’s and L’s-

Get it done or GTFOOH.

 

[Fawk_U Haters]

I read an article mentioning Saban coming back and even going to Miami. If this year doesn’t pan out, throw the bank at Saban. Lock down south Florida for real.

Saban can’t compete with even playing fields. As soon as the deck was even he bolted

 

[JamesQuall]

Miami was never a playoff contender of the coaches you named. Who you smoking lol

 

[SayWhat]

Texas A&M doesn’t have female cheer leaders.

They have a competition cheer leading squad that has women on it but at the football games it’s 100% dudes.

Ah, don't sign up there to be a male cheerleader.

 

[561caneforever]

I see this as the main reason why the program and our NIL backers won't panic if Mario stays in the 8+ win range. They know the school underfunded the football team for decades, and had 5 failed coaches (Elmer Fudd, Onion, Orange Tie, The Mark Richt and Yacht Boy) to show for it. They need to grin and bear it for at least a few more years.

For me, anything less than 10 wins, an ACCCG and playoff appearance is a failed opportunity. But I think the backers will be more forgiving provided Mario doesn't totally crap the bed.

If Mario wins 8 or 9 games this year, he will have nothing to sell on the recruiting trail moving forward.

 

[grover]

If Mario wins 8 or 9 games this year, he will have nothing to sell on the recruiting trail moving forward.

USC, TAMU, Auburn, Texas Tech, South Carolina seem to be able to make a recruiting splash just fine. TX sucked for years yet recruited at a Top 12 level. ... @Dwinstitles and I have had this discussion dozens of times. Recruiters recruit. Some kids will be turned off by a drop-back. But others won't. If our W/L suffers, Mario needs to go find those kids where that's less important to them.

Mario's 2025 class was disappointing in aggregate, yet could turn out to have been an incredible hit rate the way a lot of these kids are already flashing, especially combined with the multi-year portal additions offseason. 2026 is looking the same right now. Should have been a lot better. But the kids who are committed look quality. Now he's got to go flip more or grab more transfers.

My point is there should be no excuses. He needs to get to the playoffs AND he needs to be recruiting playoff caliber talent across all 24 positions (incl K+P). If he falls down in one, he still needs to do the other. Yes they're correlated. Bur a great recruiter backed by strong booster overcomes the setbacks.

 

[Dwinstitles]

USC, TAMU, Auburn, Texas Tech, South Carolina seem to be able to make a recruiting splash just fine. TX sucked for years yet recruited at a Top 12 level. ... @Dwinstitles and I have had this discussion dozens of times. Recruiters recruit. Some kids will be turned off by a drop-back. But others won't. If our W/L suffers, Mario needs to go find those kids where that's less important to them.

Mario's 2025 class was disappointing in aggregate, yet could turn out to have been an incredible hit rate the way a lot of these kids are already flashing, especially combined with the multi-year portal additions offseason. 2026 is looking the same right now. Should have been a lot better. But the kids who are committed look quality. Now he's got to go flip more or grab more transfers.

My point is there should be no excuses. He needs to get to the playoffs AND he needs to be recruiting playoff caliber talent across all 24 positions (incl K+P). If he falls down in one, he still needs to do the other. Yes they're correlated. Bur a great recruiter backed by strong booster overcomes the setbacks.

My whole issue with some fans is as soon as you say you don’t like a certain player or recruiting in general. They seem to tie that into the “you hate the roster” or some sh. I think we have the best roster along with Clemson. Is it enough? Idk it depends all on Beck. If UGA carries that man he will get exposed. If he’s that dude we will know mid way through the season. I like this roster but it’s not good enough against the cream of the crop, and it can drop a game or two or three.

I get mad cause I’m always looking to the future, cause that what the off season is…..looking to the future if we can build a sustainable good team. It hasn’t looked good and I don’t think it’s tied to wins. Something has changed but idk what that is I’m not no insider. Clemson will be tough to beat I have them favored to win the ACC, but they have a sporadic qb so that helps.

Recruiter recruit period, and the schools commitment to winning helps. If Mario was at bama he would be getting top dogs but it wouldn’t be because SEC. Cause if bama or OSU etc. went to the acc they wouldn’t skip a beat.

 

[grover]

My whole issue with some fans is as soon as you say you don’t like a certain player or recruiting in general. They seem to tie that into the “you hate the roster” or some sh. I think we have the best roster along with Clemson. Is it enough? Idk it depends all on Beck. If UGA carries that man he will get exposed. If he’s that dude we will know mid way through the season. I like this roster but it’s not good enough against the cream of the crop, and it can drop a game or two or three.

I get mad cause I’m always looking to the future, cause that what the off season is…..looking to the future if we can build a sustainable good team. It hasn’t looked good and I don’t think it’s tied to wins. Something has changed but idk what that is I’m not no insider. Clemson will be tough to beat I have them favored to win the ACC, but they have a sporadic qb so that helps.

Recruiter recruit period, and the schools commitment to winning helps. If Mario was at bama he would be getting top dogs but it wouldn’t be because SEC. Cause if bama or OSU etc. went to the acc they wouldn’t skip a beat.

I honestly think it was Mario going for the grand slam like he tends to do. It’s a major flaw. He landed Ward and Beck in the portal. But where would we have been if he missed on them? Same thing in HS recruiting. Board wasn’t deep and wide enough. And I’m not really talking about Russell and Cooper, I’m talking in general.

A flip or theee like we did with Lowe last season would go a long way to improving how we all feel. And if we get clowned like we did with Stubbs et al, then we better be ready to find guys like Lucas in the portal. Let’s let it play out. People on here have no patience or perspective.

 

[Dwinstitles]

I honestly think it was Mario going for the grand slam like he tends to do. It’s a major flaw. He landed Ward and Beck in the portal. But where would we have been if he missed on them? Same thing in HS recruiting. Board wasn’t deep and wide enough. And I’m not really talking about Russell and Cooper, I’m talking in general.

A flip or theee like we did with Lowe last season would go a long way to improving how we all feel. And if we get clowned like we did with Stubbs et al, then we better be ready to find guys like Lucas in the portal. Let’s let it play out. People on here have no patience or perspective.

Stubbs was one of my top players until they said he ran a 4.9. If he’s 4.5 he would be as elite as they come at S imo. He needs big time flips at Dat for big time prospects. Cause Scott looks like he weighs 120 lbs right now

 

[flips]

So, Mario is on the hot seat? Yeah, hope is the won-loss record continues to improve and we field a playoff team. Hot seat stuff is nonsense unless something crazy happens and the bottom falls out,

First off, who do you replace him with? If the game is about talent and recruiting, who do we hire that’s better? Who will do a better job engaging whoever the big money guys are? Have we forgotten those who preceded and led to mediocrity - Diaz, Richt (deserves a pass), Golden, Randy and Clappy? Best hope Mario succeeds because we’re screwed otherwise.

Don't think he's on the hot seat, while I also think this season is sink-or-swim for him here. We need to make the playoff.

Excluding the '22 class he's signed composite #7/4/14/10 (as of now) classes. As of now this year's class much better than last year's, but I think we've hit the ceiling on HS talent acquisition absent winning more on the field. We had chances to vault back up to 23/24 class rankings levels and missed out on guys. Unlikely that we tread water in that respect if we disappoint on the field this year.

He's not getting fired in the next couple of years absent a scandal or extraordinary bed****ting on the field, but if we don't make the playoff this year pretty sure die will have been cast.

I think this team can be really good this year. We have two great out of conference opportunities to help shift the perception of the program. Wax them then win the ACC!

 

[TboneJones]

If Mario makes the playoff that's a successful season. Conference championships aren't the measure of success they once were.

 

[TpaBayFlyFisher]

If Mario makes the playoff that's a successful season. Conference championships aren't the measure of success they once were.

Can we agree that losses to ND, UF, and failure to make the playoffs can be officially characterized as “sh*ting the bed”?

 

[JADood]

So, Mario is on the hot seat? Yeah, hope is the won-loss record continues to improve and we field a playoff team. Hot seat stuff is nonsense unless something crazy happens and the bottom falls out,

First off, who do you replace him with? If the game is about talent and recruiting, who do we hire that’s better? Who will do a better job engaging whoever the big money guys are? Have we forgotten those who preceded and led to mediocrity - Diaz, Richt (deserves a pass), Golden, Randy and Clappy? Best hope Mario succeeds because we’re screwed otherwise.

Y’all act like there aren’t good coaches out there. Elko ain’t no recruiter and where is aTm’s class right now? There are people in place at UM now who take football serious and will have the money there. See the President and AD.