Miami targeting top head coach as potential Manny Diaz replacement
Top officials at the University of Miami are said to be split on whether they should bring back Manny Diaz next season, but there appears to be at least one head coach that they would prefer to have over their current one.
Miami is expected to make a run at Oregon coach Mario Cristobal, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Some close to Cristobal believe he would consider the Miami job, while others feel he is content in Eugene.
Cristobal's level of interest remains unclear. Some associates believe would strongly consider, others believe content at Oregon. https://t.co/Lqwp0DwPQQ
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 3, 2021
That meshes with what a source told John Canzano of The Oregonian, which is that Miami is “going after Mario.” The Hurricanes are reportedly planning to reach out to Cristobal after Oregon faces Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday night. For what it’s worth, Canzano doubts Cristobal would want to leave the Ducks and abandon what he has built over the past four seasons.
The connections, of course, run deep. Cristobal is a Miami native and was an all-conference player at Miami from 1989-1992. The 51-year-old was a graduate assistant there from 1998-2000 and an offensive position coach from 2004-2006. He coached FIU in Miami from 2007-2012
Cristobal flew back to Miami following Oregon’s win over Oregon State last week to visit with his mother, who is ill.
While Oregon’s program is in better shape than Miami’s, the intrigue would be obvious for Cristobal. Hurricanes fans are desperate for their team to be relevant again, and it would be an incredible story if Cristobal could put them back on the map.
Some Miami boosters reportedly want to keep Diaz, but they could probably be swayed if Cristobal had interest. The Hurricanes may also target an even bigger name.
Photo: Oct 30, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz puts his headset on against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
