You have to give Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal some credit score. Miami, maybe higher often called “The U”, was as soon as one of many prime packages in school soccer. Miami received a nationwide championship in 2001 underneath HC Larry Coker, however the glory years had been from 1983-91, when the Hurricanes received 4 nationwide championships.
“The U” was the place to be, however the finish of the Coker period in the end introduced in a interval of mediocrity. As an example, Cristobal took over this system in 2022 and, in his second season, led the Hurricanes to a 10-3 report. That was Miami’s first double-digit win season since 2017 and solely its second double-digit win season since 2003.
That was a darkish period of Miami soccer, however via good teaching and stellar recruiting (aided by NIL offers), Cristobal has the Hurricanes poised to be a Faculty Soccer Playoff contender each now and sooner or later.
Because it stands, Miami is 4-0 and ranked No. 3 within the nation heading into an enormous sport towards 3-1 and No. 18 Florida State on Saturday.
In line with somebody who is aware of a factor or two about soccer within the state of Florida, legendary school soccer head coach City Meyer, Cristobal appears to have “The U” on the verge of being “again”.
City Meyer believes Cristobal has Miami on the cusp
“I’m not saying [Miami’s] there but, however I like consistency. I’ve at all times had respect for Cristobal,” Meyer advised Colin Cowherd on Thursday (h/t On3). “That’s his residence. If he can’t do it, then I’m undecided in our lifetime, (if) Miami will ever be again. So, I’m not saying they’re again but, however that is as shut because it’s been in 15 years.”
Meyer is correct in declaring that Cristobal has deep roots with the Hurricanes. He is clearly captivated with this system, and he brings credibility to it due to his historical past.
Cristobal was born in Miami in 1970 and he performed on the offensive line for the Hurricanes throughout that golden period. He was a four-year letterman from 1989-92 and performed underneath coaches Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson.
Cristobal was a part of two championship groups at Miami, and he wasn’t only a bench participant, he was an All-Huge East offensive sort out in 1992.
His first teaching job was as a graduate assistant at Miami from 1998-2000, and he coached tight ends and offensive line from 2004-06 earlier than getting his first head teaching job at Florida Worldwide.
Cristobal is aware of what it takes to be a championship contender at Miami, so Meyer is correct. If he cannot pull this off, maybe no person will be capable to.
