One former Miami Hurricanes player says Butch Davis and Mario Cristobal appear to be the leading names in the school’s search for a new head football coach.
Joaquin Gonzalez, who was a key member of the Hurricanes’ offensive line from 1997-2002, tweeted on Thursday to say he was interviewed by the consultants conducting the search for the program’s next head coach. Gonzalez shared that Butch Davis and Mario Cristobal are the leading names for the job. He also mentioned Rob Chudzinski and Greg Schiano.
Just finished interview with search firm..consensus across all their interviews has been Butch/Mario leading, followed by Chud then Schiano
— Joaquin Gonzalez (@Joaquin_UMOL73) November 19, 2015
They asked great questions and are really trying to understand what makes the U…unique! I hope they use the info to make the right choice!
— Joaquin Gonzalez (@Joaquin_UMOL73) November 19, 2015
Davis took over for Dennis Erickson in the mid-90s and helped rebuild them into a power despite their scholarship limitations. After a failed stint with the Cleveland Browns, he built up North Carolina’s program nicely before their academic scandal hit. Cristobal was a former longtime Hurricanes coach before going to Florida International and having success there, taking the Golden Panthers to two bowl games before being fired.
If you asked me to rank my preferences, it would go: Davis, Schiano, Cristobal and then Chud among those four.