In his third year leading the Hurricanes, Mario Cristobal guided Miami to a 10-3 finish, marking its first double-digit win season since 2017. The team went 6-2 in ACC play, showing tangible growth both on the field and within the program’s culture. Despite notable progress, the season ended with a lingering sense of missed opportunity.
Still, momentum remains strong. The Hurricanes have been aggressive this offseason, continuing to build for the future. Their 2026 recruiting class is already turning heads, currently sitting at No. 8 in the nation, per On3, signaling no intent to slow down.
Mario Cristobal Reflects on Miami’s 2024 Season, Acknowledging Key Lessons and Personal Growth
As the Miami Hurricanes closed the chapter on a pivotal 2024 season, head coach Mario Cristobal offered a clear-eyed evaluation of the progress his program has made and the areas still demanding refinement.
Speaking with ACC Network, Cristobal shared his thoughts on a year that saw Miami finish 10-3, marking the team’s first double-digit win campaign since 2017. Despite falling short of some goals, the third-year head coach sees undeniable momentum building.
“Yeah, we’re capable of growth and we’ve had a lot of growth in the past three years,” Cristobal said. “And then all of a sudden we got ahead of schedule and then at the end, disappointed in not being able to finish—but being in a position to win every game.”
Head coach Mario Cristobal joins @accnetwork to preview the upcoming season and break down what’s ahead for Miami Hurricanes Football pic.twitter.com/ocVfrCg4ds
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) May 14, 2025
That sense of progress paired with disappointment underscores the duality of Miami’s season. While results on the scoreboard reflect a clear upward trajectory, Cristobal remains grounded in the fundamentals that still require emphasis.
“The principles of football, they’re always going to hold up—right? Blocking, tackling, securing the football, finishing plays, being penalty-free—reign supreme,” he stated.
These core tenets became a focal point during spring ball as Miami looked to clean up execution heading into the next campaign.
On the defensive side, Cristobal addressed Miami’s shortcomings by hiring Corey Heatherman to help instill the identity he believes in.
“Just falling in line with all the principles of great defense—communication, playing with great physicality, great technique and fundamentals,” he said, emphasizing the system-wide reset being implemented.
Cristobal also touched on the influence of standout quarterback Cam Ward, who made a major impact during his time at Miami and was recently selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
“He loves working and he loves winning more than anything in the world,” Cristobal said. “He doesn’t care about accolades, personal glory—just a great example for our players.”
Cristobal noted that Ward’s mentality, especially his resilience, left a lasting impact.
“If you ever had a bad play, he followed up by, ‘I’m going to kick your—you know what—for the rest of the game.’”
Ward’s legacy continues to influence the locker room.
“He’s left a lasting impact and he’s raised the profile of our program, our university,” Cristobal said. “That just doesn’t happen because a guy wants to do well. That comes with real deal preparation.”
While Cristobal knows there’s more ground to cover, the progress is real.
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“Progress has been used a lot by me because that’s always been the goal,” he said. “Just steady progress at a really strong trajectory.”
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