Mario Cristobal says ‘nothing’s going to stop’ Hurricanes’ resurgence despite poor first season

The Miami Hurricanes arrived at the 2022 ACC Football Kickoff as one of the conference’s hottest stories. Many pundits expected a quick resurgence under Mario Cristobal, and writers picked Miami to finish first in the ACC Coastal.

Instead, the Hurricanes struggled mightily, going 5-7, including a 45-31 home loss to Middle Tennessee State and a 45-3 home loss to FSU. They also missed out on a bowl game for the first time in several years. But a year later, Cristobal’s outlook for his program has not changed, even if other programs are getting the spotlight now.

“I think about it this way: Our program, nothing’s going to stop it from achieving national prominence again,” Cristobal said on WQAM from the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, North Carolina. “But it didn’t get here overnight, so getting out of it isn’t going to happen overnight. You hire tough-minded, hard-nosed people to deal with getting out of the muddy parts, right? Well, last year was a significant step in that direction — not indicative in the record because the record has nothing to do with a rebuild in the early part.

“Of course, you want to be better. You don’t make excuses for it. You don’t try to deny it. It wasn’t good. But you also realize that what we have to do here is very different than some of our other spots and some of the other places that have new hires. When you add the caliber of human being and talent that we did this past year, and the coordinator adjustments and coaching changes, it’s the right trajectory with a lot of momentum.”

Entering this season without high expectations does not bother Miami’s players.

“Love it,” All-American safety Kamren Kinchens said. “We don’t need none of the hype.”

When it comes to criticism coming from outside the program following last year’s disappointing season, Cristobal said it is a “privilege.”

“When people talk or mention noise, it’s a privilege,” Cristobal said. “If you’re affected by that, you’ve got no chance as a father, as a tough a–, as a real-deal leader. If that affects you, you need to get your a– out the building.”

Many Miami players did leave after last season, with more than 20 players transferring out of the program. But those who remained buy into what Cristobal is telling them, Kinchens said. The hope is that those returning players and newcomers will push the program in the right direction.

“I’m used to winning at Miami Northwestern. I won three out of my four years,” Kinchens said. “To come into college, I didn’t expect nothing different. … That standard (Cristobal) instilled in all of us — well, most of us, except for the guys that probably left for other reasons — that standard he instilled in me, it just needed to be there.

“It’s like if you didn’t want to buy in to what he was doing, because he’s not leaving no time soon — so it’s like you need to be a part of us because I’m not trying to lose.”

Cristobal praises Van Dyke despite transfer rumors

Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was one of the players who stuck around after the 2022 season, despite reports he was considering leaving.

Van Dyke, entering his second full season as Miami’s starter, struggled last year and dealt with a season-altering injury that kept him off the field for most of the second half of the season.

“It was really tough,” Van Dyke said. “I think everything happens for a reason. You go through times of adversity and you’ve got to get yourself back up from it.”

Cristobal did not want to comment on other teams, but other coaches have not done the same. Last year, Nick Saban commented on UM’s NIL program. At the Big 12’s media day, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables mentioned the Hurricanes’ toughest losses last year to add context to the Sooners’ disappointing 2022 season.

“I don’t comment on certain things because of the way things are structured right now, it’s all over the place, right?” Cristobal said. “I just don’t believe in the whole getting on the air and pointing fingers at programs and this and that.”

Despite any offseason rumors, Cristobal said Van Dyke is a “Miami guy” and that he fits well in Coral Gables.

“Miami’s been awesome when people that want to be at Miami are at Miami,” Cristobal said. “That’s always been the key to Miami because it’s unique, right? It’s different. It’s super high-energy. It’s hot as can be. It’s a relentless work-ethic approach, and he is one of those guys. So it fits well, and we’re ready to roll with him.”

Cristobal in favor of new ACC format, playoff expansion

Change is coming to the ACC this season. The conference scrapped divisions and introduced a new 3-3-5 scheduling model.

With the new model, each team will have three permanent opponents each season, and the two teams with the top conference winning percentages will play for the ACC title. Miami’s three permanent opponents are Florida State, Louisville and Boston College.

“(The new scheduling) provides the opportunity for everybody in the ACC to play each other,” Cristobal said. “Imagine being able to do that, seeing all these different places across the country and in our conference. So it doesn’t matter whether divisions or dissolved or in play. At the end of the day, it’s us getting the best teams on the field that have earned it.”

More change will take effect nationally next year as the College Football Playoff expands from four teams to 12. Cristobal said he favors that move, too.

“I do like it. I do. I think you settle it on the field. First, it was two, and everyone was complaining. Then it was four. So you have the same argument,” Cristobal said. “At 12 you’re going to have some arguments, but at least you’re going to include more people. We all see in football, the more and more parity becomes a reality in college football, the more opportunities we’ve got to get people to play and settle it on the field.”