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Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mario Cristobal addressed the media on Monday, discussing a wide range of topics as his team prepares for their first road game of the season at Temple. The Hurricanes are coming off a solid win over Bethune-Cookman and have had some extra time to rest, practice, and for the coaches – hit the recruiting trail.
Eye on Progress
"All the focus is on just getting better and progressing as a program with our players both academically and on the football field and in the community. Just getting better, playing harder, playing smarter, working hard to eliminate penalties, keep lifting up our grades and again just progress," Cristobal said.Business as Usual on Road Trips
As for the preparation for road games, Cristobal notes that aside from the plane ride, it's business as usual. "Home games are business trips, just local business trips," he stated. The operations director and the rest of the staff work hard in the offseason to scout out the most proximal hotels with necessary conference rooms and other facilities. They also plan for mobility circuits to get the players moving on game day.
Challenge of Facing an efficient Quarterback
Discussing Temple QB E.J. Warner, Cristobal expressed respect for the opposing quarterback, stating, "Not only does he get it out, he gets it out to the right person. He's an excellent quarterback. He’s really well-coached, really sharp and really accurate.” Cristobal also noted his lineage as the son of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner.Recruiting Trail Success
Following the game last week, Cristobal went on the road to recruit. "The momentum is real and the best part about it is it’s just the beginning," he claimed, suggesting that the strong start to the season is attracting positive attention from high school coaches and recruits alike.Rueben Bain Continues to Shine
True freshman Rueben Bain has impressed the coaching staff with his maturity and ability to handle an increased workload. "He handles it like a veteran," Cristobal said, adding that Bain's offseason work allowed him to gain 15 pounds of muscle and improve his overall athleticism.The Quarterback Room
When asked about the relationship between quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke and Emory Williams, Cristobal indicated that it has evolved organically. Cristobal pivoted and threw Jacurri Brown in the mix as well. "Both him and Jacurri have done a great job taking on this system and taking ownership of this system. If you watch them both in practice, you would feel comfortable if their number had to be called because of how they’re performing. They're ahead of their time a little bit, and we feel their best football is ahead of them too," he commented. “I think Coach Dawson has had a tremendous impact on all of the quarterbacks, Jacurri as well.”Jaden and Jayden
Speaking about the defense, Cristobal was full of praise for cornerback Jaden Davis, who has quickly adapted to the Hurricanes' system, calling him a "stud", “complete professional”, and a "smart player."Cristobal also had significant praise for freshman defensive end Jayden Wayne, showcasing his high expectations for the young player. Wayne, who had been sidelined during spring practice due to illness earlier this year, is now back in form and appears to be filling into his role remarkably well.
Cristobal mentioned, "Jayden had a great spring and he was doing really well then he got sick and dropped some weight and then was gaining it back throughout camp and is now just starting to fill in and start looking like himself."
While discussing Wayne's performance, the coach emphasized his adaptability and competence in different aspects of the game. "He played the run really well; he put some pressure on the quarterback," Cristobal elaborated, adding, "You saw him drop into the flat making that open field tackle. That's a big move for a guy who weighs 245-250 pounds."
