Miami head coach Mario Cristobal spoke on Wednesday at the ACC Kickoff event in Charlotte.
Opening statement:
“Looking forward to another season with the ACC. A lot of great coaches and teams that are poised to have, again, another fantastic season. For us, it's really simple. We've certainly got right back to work right away after last season, went in with a 1-0 mentality in everything we do.
“Honored to be here today with our players. Trust these guys with my life. I think you'll enjoy speaking with them, share the questions that you ask, at least for the most part (smiling).
Again, we're here with the opportunity to present ourselves and answer anything that we possibly can for you. Very grateful for that.”
On the importance of Miami finding consistency as a program following a deep playoff run:
“Well, ironically that's something we were just talking about, the importance of consistency with everything that we do. I think we've had steady progress over the last four years. It's been due to the commitment and the level of just care of these players and their coaches. The fact that everything has been based on having a 1-0 attitude towards everything we do, every meeting, practice session, training session, just making sure we never deviate from that, never stray from that process.
“That has also led, thankfully for us, to some consistency in our coaching staff. We retain both coordinators. Consistency in that case is good because they have had success. They're also very adaptable, knowing with whatever schemes we do run, they have to fit the skill set of our players. We're really excited about that.”
On his philosophy when looking for a prototypical quarterback and why Darian Mensah was his guy:
“We were in the market for a quarterback. We felt the team was really set in so many areas. When Darian hit the portal, we felt this was a guy we would love to pursue. Watching crossover tape with so many opponents we faced, we saw his level of talent and play. What really took us by surprise in a great way is what an incredible young man he is. His levels of leadership, care factor, time invested in his craft, football IQ, just natural human IQ, just an elite person along with the guys beside him.
“We found ourselves also in a situation like in previous years where it was time to take a portal quarterback. We feel going forward we are set in that room from a high school standpoint with what we have on the roster, what we have coming in.
“I'll also say this: Every single year is different. Even though our foundation is the high school player, we're never going to deny ourselves the opportunity to get better as a program if there is a player that we can pick up in the portal who can help our program elevate.”
On playing FAMU, the importance of scheduling HBCUs and if the FAMU Marching 100 will be coming to the game:
“Those are questions for others in this room. I'll get you that information to you best I can what I can.
“I think historically they're an excellent program with a great coaching staff. It's challenging. We play across the country on a Friday night and they play on Sunday right down in south Florida as well. We'll both have short weeks. We will both be tested on that night.
“So we're looking forward to the opportunity to compete against such a great program.”
On replacing key losses on the offensive and defensive lines:
“First and foremost, I'd like to commend the entire conference on the fact that as a conference we had more players from the trenches drafted in the first round than any other conference in football.
“Miami alone had three, which is as many or more than just about every conference. I think it's important to note that this is college football. If you have really good players, they're going to be gone to the next level in three to four years, right?
“So the process to replace those players began the day that they were signed with the next class. And those players haven't been waiting their turn, they've been preparing the entire time. These guys will be glad to attest to the way we practice is pretty intense and pretty challenging, so therefore, the rep count, we're rep intensive I would say.
“From a competitive standpoint we work good-on-good every single day. We work block destruction all the way from week one till the end of the entire season. We feel that these guys are not only prepared to step in but prepared to excel.
“I also think it's important to say this: In 2022, when we first recruited those guys, we didn't say much because we weren't winning many games. I think it's important to note that. You don't say much. Now that we are getting better and progressing, it's probably time to say less. Not time to predict, prognostications, and all that stuff.
“We would just like to keep our mouths shut and go outside and work, get better, represent our program to the best of our abilities.”
On where he wants to see his program improve:
“I think in football we do truly feel at the University of Miami that you never stay the same; you get better or you get worse. So elevating every aspect of the program starts with every individual. I'm talking about the importance of challenging your coaches. We're blessed to have an excellent coaching staff. But there's no value in coming back thinking that we're going to be good.
“It's important that we self-assess and that we find every possible advantage and edge to give to our players so they can go out and be the best players they can possibly be.
“Mentality is everything for us. We like to get on edge and we like to stay on edge. The only way to do that is by conducting certain levels of intensity and urgency as it relates to practice and preparation.
“If you speak with our players, I think they'll echo that. That's been what has really worked for us. We're nowhere near where we want to be yet, but we're certainly gaining ground there.
“We're excited to get this process rolling once again in training camp here in a couple of weeks.”
On the pillars of his program and why it’s been important for him to have former players back on the sideline:
“ It's important that Michael Irvin never kisses me again on national TV. I think that's really important to point out. Also important to point out, and actually Mark Fletcher mentioned it, one of the best things we do is our alumni reunion, which had 400-plus members show up this year.
“You can imagine, we should have rolled the ball out there and scrimmaged. Such great teammates, players, guys that maybe weren't great players but were excellent friends and brothers.
“That's always been a big -- I mean, I can't emphasize enough what a major role that played. Once I got the opportunity, privilege to return to Miami, why it had to be done. I owe Miami. I do, I feel that way strongly.
“As it relates to the pillars for us. We don't have any signs on the wall. For us, it's as simple as this. For us, our culture, this will sum it up, it everybody for everything every single day. There shouldn't be any misconception or misunderstanding as it relates to that.
“All that means is nothing but your best will be good enough. So we feel strongly about it. It is led by them. They told themselves and their teammates to really, really high standards.
“We're pretty simple. This press conference might be a little bit boring (smiling).”
On how his time at FIU helped mold him into being a coach who was able to turn Miami around:
“How is that experience? When you walk into a place and you sign a contract, they tell you guys are about to go on a five-year probation. You're going to have 33 ineligible players, 17 plus on top of that. You're going to lose a scholarship for every player ineligible going forward to a contemporaneous penalty for the APR.
“The good news is you play seven of the top teams in the country that's about to go Division I. By the way, you just lost 15 straight games before you got started.
“Do you want that job?
“But you know what, we bet on our people, we bet on the South Florida community. They often ask me the questions. The credit goes to all the people who chose such a difficult and tough road because you're not just a coach there, you are the academic advisor, you're the chef, you are the travel coordinator, you're the fundraiser. That's been documented. We were supposed to go to play Alabama, and we got to the airport and they said, Where you guys going?
“We're going to hop on our plane, we have a game tomorrow against Alabama.
“They said, Well, you guys didn't play for a plane, so you're not going anywhere. So give my credit card to the wife, go get 200 meatball and cheese subs at Subway, bring them back for the players, let me figure this out.
“You are faced with obstacles you wouldn't normally face. Honestly, I'm grateful for that. I got to cut my teeth on some very difficult situations and circumstances. I thank God for that because it really helps me appreciate being at a place like Miami nowadays.
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