Report: University of Miami targeting Oregon coach Mario Cristobal

LAS VEGAS — After weeks of speculation, it appears the University of Miami is eyeing Oregon coach Mario Cristobal as its next football coach.

According to the Miami Herald, the Miami Hurricanes hope Cristobal will accept their coaching position. While the Hurricanes haven't officially fired current coach Manny Diaz, it appears that could happen in the coming days.

A source has confirmed to the Register-Guard that Oregon has prepared a new contract offer for Cristobal as Miami is waiting with an aggressive offer. The deal is said to be in the neighborhood of $7 million a season.

It is unknown how much Miami is preparing to offer Cristobal to be the Hurricanes coach.

Cristobal is in the second year of a contract that is set to expire at the end of the 2027 season. He is making $4.3 million, plus $700,000 in incentives that could increase to $1.2 million if Oregon wins a third straight Pac-12 championship.

On Nov. 15, Miami fired athletic director Blake James after 17 years at the university — including eight as athletics director. The firing came two days after the Hurricanes lost their rivalry game at Florida State.

"The University of Miami and Director of Athletics Blake James today mutually agreed to part ways," the school wrote in a press release. "James' 17 years at the University — including eight as athletics director — were marked by class and integrity. He served in several ACC and NCAA leadership roles and earned national recognition from his peers during his time with the Hurricanes.

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"A national search for the University's next athletics director will begin immediately."

James was the person responsible for hiring Diaz in 2019 after the sudden retirement of previous coach Mark Richt. During his three years in Coral Gables, Diaz has a 21-15 record; the Hurricanes haven't won more than eight games in any season.

The Herald is reporting that Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich, who has an MBA from Miami and started in the team's athletic department is the school's No. 1 choice to replace James. The paper is also reporting that officials are optimistic about landing both Radakovich and Cristobal and an announcement could be coming by Tuesday.

It is unknown if Cristobal would have any interest in the Hurricanes coaching position, but this would present the opportunity to have a homecoming for one of Miami's native sons. Cristobal was born and raised in Miami, attending Christopher Columbus High School.

He also was an offensive lineman for the Hurricanes from 1988-92 having been recruited by Jimmy Johnson and played for Dennis Erickson. During his time in Miami, Cristobal was on two of Miami's teams (1989, 1991) that won national championships.

After his playing days were over, Cristobal was on the Hurricanes coaching staff, first as a graduate assistant (1998-00) and later as a tight end and offensive line coach (2004-06).

In 2007, Cristobal became the second head coach in Florida International University history and, at 36 years old, became the first Cuban-American head coach in the FBS.

Cristobal lasted at FIU for six seasons before he was fired after a 27-47 record with the school.

Since becoming Oregon's coach, Cristobal has had a lot of success with the Ducks. He has a 35-12 record, including two Pac-12 championships and a third appearance in Friday night's game against Utah. The Ducks won the Rose Bowl following the 2019 season and appeared in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2020 season under Cristobal. Oregon also won the 2018 Redbox Bowl in Cristobal's first year as head coach.

Recently, Cristobal flew to Miami after Oregon's 38-29 victory against Oregon State because his mother, Clara, is battling an undisclosed illness. Cristobal flew back to be with the team Sunday night in preparation for the Pac-12 championship game.

"I have to very quickly hop on a plane and see my mom," Cristobal said after the Oregon State game. "Keep her in your prayers — she got pretty sick pretty quickly, and I gotta go see her. I just wanted to make sure I got out there. So, that'll be a touch and go for me while I work, of course, the entire time."

Contact Antwan Staley at astaley@registerguard.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Report: Miami Hurricanes targeting Oregon football coach Mario Cristobal