This is purely speculation, but I suspect the culture gap between Oregon and Miami is a factor.
My family moved to Oregon from Cuba. Great place, we visit all the time, I was just in Eugene for a wedding. But there is no place more different than Miami on the map. The air, the slow drizzle of rain, the chill atmosphere v. the intensity, the fact that everyone is white. And football is just not as big of a deal.
Cubans come back to Miami if the money makes sense. And remember, Oregon has one of the highest state income taxes in the country. The biggest draw for him to stay at Oregon is likely the roster he assembled. They are set up for success.
This. Those that are from here (Miami) know that most people either hate it (or at least they say they do and say they want to move but rarely do) or couldn’t see themselves living anywhere else. I think the allure of being back home in front of your community means a lot. At least it would to me.
We’ve had “Miami guys” as coaches but none that check as many of the boxes as Mario.
1. Randy- native, alum, 1 NC as player, long time Miami assistant coach and coordinator, no HC experience.
2. Richt- Boca guy (not Miami proper-for those that say you’re from Miami in college but are from Delray), alum, player, No NC, successful SEC HC. Best thing we’ve had in the last 20 years.
3. Manolo- Miami native, did not play CFB (don’t know if he played HS really), FSU alum, has spent the majority of his adult life outside of Miami, 3 years as UM DC, no HC experience.
4. Cristobal???- Miami Native (de wechehte), 2 NCs as player, 3 stints as a coach at Miami (technically 4 but we all know what happened) , FIU head coach, Now Oregon HC. Not to mention his time under Saban and Butch as an assistant and JJ and Erickson as a player.
We don’t necessarily need a “Miami Guy” but none of our previous “Miami guys” have the overall pedigree Mario does with the exception of Richt’s coaching experience.
Manny is Catalina croquetas. Mario is Islas Canarias croquetas. Nothing against Catalina, but iykyk.