Mario Cristobal admits Miami's roster has been inadequate 'for a while'

Things haven’t matched the preseason hype for Miami. That preseason hype probably isn’t something that new head coach Mario Cristobal wanted, as the program had to be rebuilt. That included things like the roster, facilities, and general investment in the program.

Mario Cristobal has long since said that it would be a big job to rebuild Miami due to the inadequacies within the program. While speaking to the media, he was asked to be more specific about those inadequacies.

“I think it’s all the stuff that we’ve reiterated several times,” Mario Cristobal said. “I will answer all the questions–I don’t–you know I’d rather focus on our opponent and how we’re preparing for them and our guys.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“I think we all know that it’s been inadequate for a while, and maybe rationalized for a while. But, we’re not gonna do that. We came here on a mission, with purpose, understanding that it’s gonna take tough-minded people with the right demeanor that can approach it the right way and fully invest in our players and the program.”

Of course, Miami isn’t the only program that’s rebuilding right now. Duke is in its first season under head coach Mike Elko. The Blue Devils finished 3-9 in 2021. The Hurricanes finished 7-5. One season later, Duke beat Miami 45-21.

Mario Cristobal also said that he wants tough players, and if a player isn’t going to be that, then they need to go somewhere else.

“Someone stops playing hard, you’ve got to go play somewhere else. What we’ve got to do requires stuff people. To turn a program, rebuild it, requires tough-minded people that are willing to do the work. If that shows up on tape, you’ve got to find somewhere else,” Mario Cristobal said.

“Some guys have played really well, some guys have played hard. We’ll go from there.”

Mario Cristobal calls out the media

Mario Cristobal called out the media for affecting Miami’s momentum during the rebuild. That’s because he believes that he’s delivering what he promised on the field, even if the wins aren’t there, and it’s the media who got everyone too excited about the program.

“I think you guys try to affect it more than anything. We have, from day one, made it very clear what we’re here to do and what we’re here to build. Our history has shown that we don’t sell a dream, we don’t sell any false hope. We sell the reality of a track record in what we’ve done, where we’ve been, and how we’ve done it. I think that both parents and players appreciate honesty and truth in good people. And they see a path for a great future for their sons as well. Again, the truth is always going to win out in the end. Being real is always going to win out in the end,” Mario Cristobal said.

“There’s always a starting point. We’re at our starting point. We’re going with what we started with and making it the very best that we can. It’s a different starting point than at other places and that’s fine too. There is no flinch. There is no hesitation. It’s just time to go to work. I don’t think anyone should ever shy away from that or look at that in a negative aspect. That’s the reality of life…You’ve got to be willing to accept the starting point, go to work, and do everything you can to help make it better and change it. No one should ever look at anything being wrong with that in my opinion.”