Report: Mario Cristobal change plans amid Miami coaching speculation

Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal flew back to Eugene, cancelling a Monday recruiting trip to California amid speculation that he could be named the next Miami coach, according to The Oregonian’s Aaron Fentress. He also adds that sources told him there was no Sunday afternoon team meeting, as was reported by others.

The latest report on the coaching drama surrounding the Miami Hurricanes states that Miami has set a Monday afternoon deadline for Mario Cristobal’s coaching decision. Miami is awaiting the decision of Cristobal to make a decision on not just Manny Diaz and the coaching staff, but also on their hiring of an athletic director.

Other reports claimed on Sunday that Oregon’s current head coach Mario Cristobal is expected to leave Eugene and become the next head coach at Miami, turning down the extension brought in front of him.

Miami gives Mario Cristobal deadline

“Mario Cristobal has a deadline of midday Monday to accept the UM job,” reported Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger. “If he declines, Manny Diaz will be retained, as [The Miami Herald] reported. Final decision on AD – where Dan Radakovich is top candidate – will be made after the coach situation is resolved.”

Reports claimed on Sunday that Oregon’s current head coach Mario Cristobal is expected to leave Eugene and become the next head coach at Miami.

Subsequent reports stated that Cristobal was in the late stages of negotiations for a deal that pays around $8 million per year, with the duration set for “longer than five years.” Adding to the news, Cristobal is not expected to come alone. Previous reports said that Miami was set to replace athletic director Blake James with Clemson’s Dan Radakovich, and Jackson said that he will come to Miami with Cristobal unless “somebody gets cold feet.”

Now it appears that Miami is not able to wait for very long on getting contract details secured. With a deadline of less than 24 hours, Miami is expecting to have all the pieces fall into place as soon as possible.

Adding to the drama surrounding Miami’s hiring decisions is the fact that they have not yet fired their current head coach Manny Diaz. While Diaz is out recruiting and serving the university as if he’s still going to be their head coach, multiple reports have come out that they’re actively hiring his replacement.

Critics of Miami point out that by waiting to make these decisions, they’re hurting not just the coaches involved but the players being recruited who don’t know what the future of the school is.