Former Hurricanes star Antrel Rolle on Mario Cristobal, Miami mentality

Former Miami star safety Antrel Rolle had a front-row seat for the advent of Mario Cristobal. As Rolle began his playing career with the Hurricanes, Cristobal was a young graduate assistant looking to make a name for himself.

Fast-forward, Rolle has enjoyed plenty of success during his football career, including capturing a national championship with the Hurricanes. Then, the star defensive back reached the pinnacle, victorious in Super Bowl XLVI as a captain with the New York Giants.

As Rolle was making his name known on the playing field, Cristobal was working his way up the ladder at programs like Miami, Rutgers, Florida International and Alabama before his first head coaching gig at Oregon. Now returning as the leader of the Hurricanes, Cristobal’s first test in-front of Miami faithful was the team’s spring game, with Rolle in attendance.

Speaking to ESPN, Rolle praised the resume of Cristobal, and believes he has what it takes to bring Miami back to prominence.

“No, you never know,” responded Rolle, when asked if he knew Cristobal would evolve into the quality head coach he’s built himself into. “You never know. Hindsight is 20/20, but Coach Cristobal still has the same swag, still a great guy. But man, he understands the tradition. He understands what it takes to wear the U on the side of your helmet. He’s trying to bring that back.”

As you can see, Rolle has high praise for the first-year Miami head coach. Continuing, the former NFL and Miami star spoke about the mentality the Hurricanes need to return to under Cristobal.

“No guts, no glory,” answered Rolle. “It’s all-out effort. You got to give everything you’ve got at every point in time. There’s no such thing as a let-off. You know, when we were here at Miami, the guys behind you were probably better than you. In order for you to keep your job, you couldn’t let them get on the field. That was our mentality. You’re playing hurt, you’re playing injured — it didn’t matter what it was, you’re playing for the guys beside you.

“I think he’s trying to instill that mentality in his guys, and so far, so good. You know, you see the attitude, you see guys flying around, you see the chemistry. But you’re only going to be able to tell on Saturdays.”

Antrel Rolle believes Mario Cristobal is the right man to lead Miami. Still, he recognizes the results need to be there when the games matter.