The anticipation is palpable as the Miami Hurricanes gear up to open their season at home against Miami of Ohio. The Mario Cristobal Show kicked off with a buzz as the head coach and his team prepare to make a mark in the coming season.
In the first episode of the show, hosts Joe Zagacki and Don Bailey Jr. caught up with Coach Mario Cristobal, who provided insight into the team's offseason developments and preparations for the season opener.
Chemistry building has been a focal point for the team, given the introduction of numerous new personalities. Coach Cristobal explained, "When you are recruiting these new faces, make sure they are like-minded. Make sure that their principles and values are in line with the culture. It’s a one-year culture restart button. We all had to have very similar mentality. We feel like we’ve hit everybody on a really high level.”
Coach Cristobal's dedication to building a formidable roster is evident, as he discusses the infusion of 41 new players, many of whom are freshmen, into the Hurricanes' roster. "We added 41 new football players to our football team, primarily in the trenches where we saw a massive overhaul," Coach Cristobal remarks. This infusion of fresh talent brings an air of excitement to the program, with the coaching staff eager to harness their athleticism and unleash it on the field.
Last season's struggles in short-yardage situations and run defense have been addressed with enhanced schemes and improved personnel. Coach Cristobal stressed the importance of having the right body types to execute effectively, ensuring the team's readiness to excel in critical moments.
“The line of scrimmage is always going to be where the game starts and ends. You’ve got to win it everywhere, you’ve got to win on the perimeter and recruit size and length out there as well. If you look at us a year ago, short yardage, goal line, running the football, stopping the run were massive issues. Schematically was an issue, but you’ve also got to have the body types – guys who can knock people back. We feel like we’ve enhanced ourselves on both sides of the ball.”
Defensive end Reuben Bain drew praise from Coach Cristobal for his relentless competitiveness and unwavering commitment to his assignments. Bain’s ability to execute his role while contributing to the team's overall success was highlighted as a key asset.
“He’s a problem in practice. He’s hard to block. He’s a guy who is always going to find a way to make a play with his effort. He’s a relentless, relentless competitor. If you’re trying to block him, you’ve got to be ready for his counter move, and his counter after his counter move. He never compromises the job. If he has to fill a gap, take on a gap, take on a blocker – he’s going to do his assignment to make sure that that whatever he’s supposed to do, he does it so his teammate can make a play.”
Offensive Coordinator Shannon Dawson was lauded for his coaching prowess and track record of success. Coach Cristobal spoke highly of his dedication and expertise in guiding the team's development on the offensive side of the ball.
“Shannon has a ton of experience at his different stops. I’ve known him for a while now – he’s an awesome human being, elite person from a character standpoint. And he’s spent some time around some really explosive offenses – coordinating some of them, being a position coach in others, and he has produced some really high octane offenses. He’s very well-balanced. He comes from the Air Raid tree, but has really pounded the rock and has created a really, really strong blend for us.”
Cristobal gave his thoughts on new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry as well.
“Another high level human being, elite character and elite person – and he gets after it now, if you’ve watched practice you see the way he coaches every bit of it. From the back end to the front end, he is on fire. He’s had some staggering numbers and production, not only because of his scheme but his ability to connect and motivate players,” Cristobal said of the new defensive coordinator.
At the helm of the offense, quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is poised for his 18th start against Miami of Ohio. Despite his experience, Coach Cristobal acknowledged the challenges that come with each season and the growth opportunities they provide.
“His best football is ahead of him. He feels very strongly about his supporting cast. It’s a blessing to have Tyler – the way he’s approached everything this offseason about being a leader. We are excited to watch him have a nice, healthy season.”
Among the key personnel under Coach Cristobal's watchful eye is Coach Tim Harris, who has been tasked with coaching the running back room. The competition within this group has been fierce, and Coach Cristobal acknowledges its positive impact on the team's development. "Having guys that can go in there and really push ahead...has made the other guys just stay on edge, and that's going to help us," he explains. The running back room is flourishing, with players like Ajay Allen, known as "Quick Six," standing out for their ability to deliver quick touchdowns and elevate the team's performance.
“Ajay’s come in and I can’t say enough good things about him and Don Chaney for being healthy and coming back the way he has. Henry Parrish taking another step, and Mark Fletcher at 228 pounds. All in all, that running back room is enhanced from a discipline standpoint, a level of play and a competitive standpoint.”
When dissecting the upcoming matchup against Miami of Ohio, Coach Cristobal highlights the opponent's strengths and challenges. He praises their experienced roster, stressing the need to prepare for a physically imposing offensive line and explosive playmakers. Defensively, Miami of Ohio presents a formidable challenge with their creative blitzes and exotic formations.
The Hurricanes' coaching staff also recognizes the significance of protecting the ball, given Miami of Ohio's prowess in creating turnovers. As Coach Cristobal puts it, "They take the ball away, so it's working, and it's led them to a top 10 turnover margin in the country."
As the interview wraps up, Coach Cristobal addresses the intricacies of managing game day operations seamlessly. He explains that the staff simulates game day scenarios during fall camp, ensuring that both players and coaches are well-prepared to handle various situations.
