Mario Cristobal explains use of guardian caps in spring game, future usage

Going into his fourth season as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, Mario Cristobal is looking for new ways to innovate within the program. At the team’s recent spring game, those innovations include wearing guardian caps in a move to try and prevent head injuries during practice.

After the spring game, Cristobal shared some of his thoughts and the usage of guardian caps. He also noted that he’s not the qualified person to talk about their actual effectiveness, but emphasized that he wants what’s best for players.

“It’s a question more for the medical side of college football in general,” Mario Cristobal said. “I think college football continues to move towards a place where players are protected more and that they can still play fast and physical. So, that’s a question where I’m not qualified to answer what is best in a game, but I know whatever is best and keeps our players most safe, we’re always going to find a way.”

A guardian cap is a soft shell helmet covering. It’s worn to try and prevent head injuries and is often seen at NFL practices. Actual studies on their effectiveness are mixed, but the idea behind a guardian cap is that it will diminish the impact force and diminish the concussion rate for players.

For the time being, Mario Cristobal is keeping his personal opinions on guardian caps, even with Miami using them in their spring game, to himself. He, like many others, wants to wait and see more data on them.

“Again, I think it looks like there might be positive things,” Cristobal said. “But the data — it’s hard to tell. It’s hard to say what is what without taking a cohort with them, without them. So, I’d love to answer your question but I just don’t have the information.”

The NFL began allowing guardian caps to be worn during games in 2024. However, only a handful of players chose to wear them during games. For the time being, they’re clearly a trend that’s just beginning and will likely be used more if more positive research can be done on them.

Carson Beck injury update: Mario Cristobal updates status moving into Summer

Quarterback Carson Beck suffered a UCL elbow injury to end his 2024 season. Since then, he’s transferred to Miami and has been working to get back from it. Recently, Cristobal shared where that recovery stands after being limited in spring.

“The good part is, as our PLP — our player-led practices — come up, he’s going to be fully cleared for all of those, so he’ll have the opportunity to have about 16 of those before we even head into fall camp,” Cristobal said.

“Not to mention going on his own with the players. So there’s a lot of opportunity coming up. He certainly took advantage of whatever he could mentally, the physical part begins on Monday. So we’re excited for that.”