The national view of Miami football continues to change, and head coach Mario Cristobal is a major reason why.

In CBS Sports’ latest Power Four coaching rankings, Cristobal landed at No. 7 nationally, one of the biggest jumps in the entire ranking. After entering last season outside the elite tier, Cristobal trended up 13 spots following a breakthrough year that saw the Hurricanes make a run to the national championship game and reestablish themselves as one of college football’s premier programs.

Ranking the top 25 Power Four college football coaches entering the 2026 season

CBS Sports experts have weighed in on the Power Four coaches ahead of the 2026 season, and we've got a brand-new No. 1

www.cbssports.com

The rise shouldn’t surprise anyone who has watched Miami’s transformation under Cristobal. When he arrived in Coral Gables, Miami was searching for consistency and an identity after a few disappointing seasons under Manny Diaz. Four years later, Miami is recruiting at an elite level, competing for championships, and once again being mentioned alongside the sport’s heavyweights like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State.

CBS Sports specifically highlighted Cristobal’s growth as a coach, noting how he has continued to evolve by surrounding himself with strong assistants and addressing weaknesses rather than ignoring them. That willingness to adapt has helped elevate both Cristobal and the Hurricanes to new heights.

Miami enters the 2026 season with significant momentum after finishing among the nation’s top teams and finally earning respect back across the college football landscape. The Hurricanes are expected to reload once again thanks to another talented recruiting class and a roster built through both high school recruiting and the transfer portal.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Cristobal’s climb is that he has done it while rebuilding Miami from the ground up. Around college football, many fans and analysts now view him as one of the sport’s top program builders, capable of turning Miami back into a national contender after years of inconsistency.

While the rankings are open to debate one thing is clear, Cristobal has earned his place among college football’s elite coaches. With Miami entering the season as a legitimate championship contender, the Hurricanes’ head coach could have an opportunity to climb even higher by next year.

 

What's the fascination with Dan Lanning?

 

What's the fascination with Dan Lanning?

I've wondered the same thing because Mario set his *** up for success but he ain't done **** with it.

 

What's the fascination with Dan Lanning?

I’m a blind homer. So this is incredibly biased. But I’m taking Mario’s four years over Lanning’s four years.

 

Lan Danning is a bloody ****er...

 

What's the fascination with Dan Lanning?

He's the Mike Elko of Lane Kiffins.

 

if Mario can continue to surround himself with great coordinators and continue to learn and grow relating to in-game decisions, he's on his way to the #1 spot, because their isnt another coach in CFB who is better prepared for this new age of CFB. He gets the media side of things, he leans into the social media/sports radio shows/etc. for brand exposure and to top it off, he might be the best recruiting HC in all of CFB. Add that all up and its a scary recipe for the rest of the country!!!

 

I’m wondering WTF Sark has done other than drink a lot…

 

I’m wondering WTF Sark has done other than drink a lot…

So this is what I hate about these lists. And I’m not knocking or discrediting what Cig has done. But there is a huge amount of praise, all of it warranted, lumped on him for rebuilding IU. Yet Mario doesn’t get even a third of the credit for fixing Miami.

Sark has largely accomplished nothing. Barely beat ASU in the playoffs. Has been bullied by UGA multiple times. Marcus Freeman and Lanning slightly improve teams that had consistently won 10 plus games before they arrived, are ranked ahead of Mario. Who rebuilt Miami to the point of being 40 yards from a title in 4 years. If 40 yards from a title is the difference in being ranked 3rd/4th and 7th the list dumb.

 

What's the fascination with Dan Lanning?

Him and Sarkisian. Less with more. At least that’s what all the Mario haters used to say.

 

So this is what I hate about these lists. And I’m not knocking or discrediting what Cig has done. But there is a huge amount of praise, all of it warranted, lumped on him for rebuilding IU. Yet Mario doesn’t get even a third of the credit for fixing Miami.

Sark has largely accomplished nothing. Barely beat ASU in the playoffs. Has been bullied by UGA multiple times. Marcus Freeman and Lanning slightly improve teams that had consistently won 10 plus games before they arrived, are ranked ahead of Mario. Who rebuilt Miami to the point of being 40 yards from a title in 4 years. If 40 yards from a title is the difference in being ranked 3rd/4th and 7th the list dumb.

Cigs recruiting his first year was bringing half his team from JMU so that made his task much simpler. Not sure where they are at currently but it will be interesting to see how he does going forward as it pertains to recruiting.

 

I've wondered the same thing because Mario set his *** up for success but he ain't done **** with it.

I watched Oregon a few times. They played well against IU, but let James Madison score 34 in the 1st playoff game (I didn't watch) which is surprising. I watched a lot of TT-Oregon and Oregon was incredibly underwhelming. And then they just got pounded by IU, all the while allegedly having a top QB (who I'm not a fan of). I feel like they generally underperformed relative to expectation.

 

Him and Sarkisian. Less with more. At least that’s what all the Mario haters used to say.

You can at least defend Sark b/c Texas seemingly got better as the season improved. Between Sark and Lanning, I'd take Sark.

 

if Mario can continue to surround himself with great coordinators and continue to learn and grow relating to in-game decisions, he's on his way to the #1 spot, because their isnt another coach in CFB who is better prepared for this new age of CFB. He gets the media side of things, he leans into the social media/sports radio shows/etc. for brand exposure and to top it off, he might be the best recruiting HC in all of CFB. Add that all up and it’s a scary recipe for the rest of the country!!!

Love and respect the guy but don’t forget: He also has a ton of cash behind him. Doesn’t hurt.

 

What's the fascination with Dan Lanning?

Alot of ppl here swore up n down he was a far better coach then Mario, took over an Oregon team that was in great shape and given unlimited NIKE money but his team look soft when met with a team that plays with grit/toughness..we wouldve dominated Oregon physically had we faced them in the playoffs..

 

Love and respect the guy but don’t forget: He also has a ton of cash behind him. Doesn’t hurt.

As do EVERY ONE of the coaches on this list above and below him…

 

Enjoying seeing Dabo in perpetual freefall on these lists now days...

Ditto with Riley.

 

The national view of Miami football continues to change, and head coach Mario Cristobal is a major reason why.

In CBS Sports’ latest Power Four coaching rankings, Cristobal landed at No. 7 nationally, one of the biggest jumps in the entire ranking. After entering last season outside the elite tier, Cristobal trended up 13 spots following a breakthrough year that saw the Hurricanes make a run to the national championship game and reestablish themselves as one of college football’s premier programs.

Ranking the top 25 Power Four college football coaches entering the 2026 season

CBS Sports experts have weighed in on the Power Four coaches ahead of the 2026 season, and we've got a brand-new No. 1

www.cbssports.com

The rise shouldn’t surprise anyone who has watched Miami’s transformation under Cristobal. When he arrived in Coral Gables, Miami was searching for consistency and an identity after a few disappointing seasons under Manny Diaz. Four years later, Miami is recruiting at an elite level, competing for championships, and once again being mentioned alongside the sport’s heavyweights like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State.

CBS Sports specifically highlighted Cristobal’s growth as a coach, noting how he has continued to evolve by surrounding himself with strong assistants and addressing weaknesses rather than ignoring them. That willingness to adapt has helped elevate both Cristobal and the Hurricanes to new heights.

Miami enters the 2026 season with significant momentum after finishing among the nation’s top teams and finally earning respect back across the college football landscape. The Hurricanes are expected to reload once again thanks to another talented recruiting class and a roster built through both high school recruiting and the transfer portal.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Cristobal’s climb is that he has done it while rebuilding Miami from the ground up. Around college football, many fans and analysts now view him as one of the sport’s top program builders, capable of turning Miami back into a national contender after years of inconsistency.

While the rankings are open to debate one thing is clear, Cristobal has earned his place among college football’s elite coaches. With Miami entering the season as a legitimate championship contender, the Hurricanes’ head coach could have an opportunity to climb even higher by next year.

 

How is Steve and lanning in the top 10 ? Get real , lousville coach and Lashlee is way better than those ranking too . Mario imo is a top 5 coach , it will show in a few years.