Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Big 10 commissioner Kevin Warren during the Michigan Wolverines game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Big Ten’s unexpected expansion into the Pac-12 was certainly a major moment for the future of the NCAA. However, few believe the conference is done expanding if the conditions are right.
The Big Ten is casting a wide net as it considers further expansion, with six schools on the league’s radar, according to Brett McMurphy of The Action Network. Oregon, Washington, Stanford, California, Miami, and Florida State are at least being looked at by the conference as possible expansion candidates.
Big Ten commish Kevin Warren told @ActionNetworkHQ there are "handful of schools" besides Notre Dame that would add value to Big Ten. Sources said other schools being considered by Big Ten: Oregon, Washington, Stanford, Cal, Miami & Florida State https://t.co/nO3heAEHJP
Ultimately, the biggest Big Ten ambition may be Notre Dame more than any of the other listed schools. With pre-existing rivalries with some Big Ten schools, they would be a huge addition, though any potential union may be out of the Big Ten’s hands.
One thing that is abundantly clear is that the Big Ten is not done expanding. The only question is whether they can find suitable additions, but it certainly feels inevitable that more schools will be joining the league.
Jan 22, 2022; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head football coach Mario Cristobal reacts while hyping up the crowd during the second half between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Hurricanes will be under new leadership this season as first-year head coach and former Hurricane Mario Cristobal has taken over. Cristobal will be doing away with a five-year-old tradition prior to the 2022 season.
During Wednesday’s portion of the annual ACC Kickoff media event, Cristobal told Action Network’s Brett McMurphy that the team is getting rid of their infamous turnover chain celebration. Cristobal told McMurphy that the chain was not part of Miami’s culture.
Miami dumping Turnover Chain: UM coach Mario Cristobal said the 'Canes are getting rid of the Turnover Chain "It's not part of our culture," Cristobal told me. UM has had the Turnover Chain since 2017
The turnover chain did not get much use on the Miami sidelines last year, although it did undergo a makeover prior to the 2019 season. Last season, Miami was tied for 118th among FBS teams for turnovers gained. The Hurricanes only forced 11 turnovers in 12 games, including three fumble recoveries and eight interceptions.
Aside from their difficulties with getting turnovers in recent years, Miami has been at the receiving end of plenty of embarrassing moments involving the chain. During last season’s opener against Alabama, Miami had to take back the chain after a fumble recovery ruling was overturned (see video here).
With Cristobal, who went 35-13 in four years as Oregon’s head coach, Miami has a chance to establish a culture of winning and playoff aspirations while leaving the notorious turnover change in the past.
Four-star quarterback recruit Jaden Rashada committed to Miami on Monday, and there was immediate speculation about how much money he was paid to do so. According to an attorney who represented Rashada in negotiations, the prospect did not go to the highest bidder.
Michael W. Caspino of Forward Counsel in Newport Beach, Calif., told On3’s Jeremy Crabtree that he represented Rashada in Name, Image and Likeness negotiations before Rashada committed to the Hurricanes. Caspino, who has represented many other top athletes in NIL deals, said Rashada took a “considerably lesser NIL deal” from Miami.
“Jaden left millions on the table,” Caspino said. “Millions. He did not pick the highest offer. He went there because he loves Miami, the coaches, and the opportunity.”
Caspino did not reveal actual figures, but Crabtree was told by sources that top Miami booster John Ruiz committed $9.5 million in NIL money to Rashada. The same sources say Rashada turned down an $11 million offer from Gator Collective, which is a booster group for Florida.
Both Ruiz and Gator Collective denied having anything to do with Rashada’s recruitment. Ruiz said he spoke with Caspino about a different player a while back but never had any discussions with him about Rashada.
The report by https://t.co/QAEr6VfrG1 is inaccurate as it relates to Jaden Rashada.I have never spoken to Mr. Caspino about Jaden Rashada. Mr. Caspino and I spoke about an unrelated player months ago and had a very professional and pleasant conversation. I respect him.
— John H. Ruiz, Attorney at Law (@JohnHRuiz) June 27, 2022
Gator Collective issued a similar denial, saying they have refused to work with Caspino and disagree with his “tactics.”
College programs are not supposed to use NIL money to lure recruits. However, attorneys like Caspino have found loopholes that allow them to do just that. We doubt Caspino would lie about negotiating with Miami and Florida. It is more likely that boosters associated with the programs do not want to welcome scrutiny from the NCAA.
The Rashada situation is yet another reminder that things have gotten complicated with college sports. Some coaches have openly spoken about how much NIL money they think they need to successfully recruit. The NIL era seems like it is here to stay, though there will likely be some tweaks to avoid the type of back-and-forth we are seeing with Rashada.
Jan 22, 2022; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head football coach Mario Cristobal reacts while hyping up the crowd during the second half between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Hurricanes held their spring game on Saturday and already fans are getting a bit antsy. No more than a few series into the scrimmage, the boos began to reign down on Miami players.
The frustration stemmed from several dropped passes that came off the arm of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Some boos at UM spring game after several dropped passes thrown by Van Dyke
Wide receiver Key’Shawn Smith was the first to draw ire when he dropped a would-be 45-yard completion. Running back Henry Parrish and slot receiver Xavier Restrepo then followed that up with a pair of drops of their own before wide receiver Frank Ladson, a Clemson transfer, capped things off with a drop in the endzone.
“When you have a quarterback like [Tyler Van Dyke], you have to find a way to get them the ball,” head coach Mario Cristobal said, via the Miami Herald. “We must find a way to come down with those passes.”
The good news is that Miami was very shorthanded on Saturday. Upwards of 16 players who are expected to see significant snaps this season did not participate, which led to mismatches on the field. The lack of rapport didn’t help, either.
Miami still has plenty of time to clean things up before the season begins. And they hope this case of the dropsies is little more than a speedbump on the road.
If it’s not, they can expect to hear a lot more booing.
Mario Cristobal could be set to add a Miami Dolphins icon to his staff at the University of Miami.
Cristobal is in talks with former Dolphins defensive lineman Jason Taylor regarding a possible staff role, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The role is not likely to be a major one, with Taylor being eyed as a possible consultant.
Jason Taylor and Mario Cristobal have been discussing a job on UM staff, per two people briefed on situation. Consultant or analyst role among options. Possibility of this first mentioned by @CaneSport
There is still something to be said for adding a big name like Taylor’s to the coaching staff. That could certainly be an attractive prospect to a lot of young college athletes, particularly pass rushers in light of Taylor’s 139.5 career sacks.
Cristobal’s Miami tenure is off to a very promising start. He will have to deliver results on the field, but he is hitting all the right notes so far.
Photo: Jan 22, 2022; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head football coach Mario Cristobal reacts while hyping up the crowd during the second half between the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Manny Diaz was fired by Miami on Monday after spending days with his job status in limbo. He took a shot at the school over the way his firing was handled.
Miami was engaged in a very public pursuit of Mario Cristobal for about two weeks before ultimately reaching a deal with him. The school’s pursuit of Cristobal played out all the while Diaz was still employed as the head football coach.
Diaz alluded to the unconventional manner in which his firing transpired in a statement he issued on Monday.
“I am disappointed in the University’s decision and the manner in which this played out over the last few weeks,” Diaz began his statement.
The manner in which his firing played out certainly was unfortunate. But that is just part of the way things go sometimes in the college football coaching business. Diaz should know that better than anyone.
Prior to becoming Miami’s head coach in early 2019, he had just signed a contract to work as Temple’s head football coach. Yes, Diaz ditched Temple less than three weeks after accepting their job. He left them high and dry, right after they had made a commitment to him, and right after he made a commitment to them.
Diaz has no place to criticize anyone else for the way they handle business after he did that to Temple, and after he saw how Miami poached him right after he took another job. He should just suck it up and recognize he’s as big of a culprit as anyone.
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
Cristobal will be introduced as the next head football coach at the University of Miami in the very near future. After days of negotiating with Cristobal, Miami fired head coach Manny Diaz on Monday morning. Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reports that Cristobal held a players-only meeting at around the same time to inform his Oregon team he is leaving. Several of Cristobal’s staff members were on the road and learned of the official decision shortly thereafter.
The news is hardly a surprise. Cristobal has deep ties to Miami and has been viewed as almost too perfect of a fit. He a Miami native and was an all-conference player for the Hurricanes from 1989-1992. The 51-year-old was a graduate assistant at Miami from 1998-2000 and an offensive position coach from 2004-2006.
Cristobal will reportedly be getting a significant raise with Miami, though it’s unclear if he gave Oregon a chance to match the offer. He may have simply been set on coaching at his alma mater in the city where he grew up.
Photo: Nov 23, 2019; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Diaz finishes with a record of 25-15 at Miami. The 7-5 Hurricanes got off to a slow start this season before winning five of their last six regular-season games. They have been invited to the Sun Bowl, where they will play Washington State on New Year’s Eve.
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 has been viewed by many as a perfect fit, so the latest development with Diaz is hardly a surprise.
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
The future of Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal is uncertain, and rumors are now beginning to run rampant.
Following a humiliating loss to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday night, Cristobal was asked about those rumors and his future with the Ducks. The 51-year-old coach attempted to pump the brakes on some of the speculation, but left the door cracked to other potential opportunities.
“I haven’t talked to anybody, so let’s not create narratives as we sit here in this press conference,” Cristobal said, via ESPN. “Oregon’s working on some stuff for me, and that’s what I have right now, and that’s the extent of that conversation.
“If there’s anything to report, I’d report it. I always have.”
Currently, Miami is in the midst of an AD search and have not made an announcement about head coach Manny Diaz’s future. For the time being, Diaz remains in charge and is preparing the Hurricanes for an upcoming bowl game.
That could change in short order, however.
Cristobal is scheduled to return to Florida next week as he begins recruiting for the 2022 season. While in town, it’s entirely possible he meets up with some shot-callers from Miami.
“Do I expect people to come [after] me? Yeah, I do, it happens every single year,” Mario Cristobal said. “There’s nothing else to report besides that. If there is, or when there ever is, if there ever is, I’ll make sure to get it to [the media] as fast as I can.”
Cristobal, who grew up in Miami, is a former Hurricanes offensive lineman and coaching assistant. He was last with the program in 2006 when he coached the O-Line.
Image: Nov 23, 2019; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
