Mario Cristobal calls out media for affecting Miami's momentum in rebuild

The Miami Hurricanes have underachieved when it comes to their 2022 college football season. While that remains the case, Mario Cristobal has a culprit of his own as to who is responsible for his team having lost their preseason momentum.

Cristobal was asked about how his team’s disappointing 1-4 stretch has affected their development from their opener until now during his press conference on Monday. In his opinion, Cristobal says the media are the ones who are at fault because, to this point, he believes he’s delivering what he and his staff promised, even if it hasn’t led to wins on the field just yet.

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“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,” said Cristobal. “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.”

After entering the season as a Top-25 team, they dropped out by mid-September. Based on their current stretch, it’s a safe bet that they won’t be back this season either. It’s a real disappointment after the Hurricanes had genuine expectations to at least compete in the ACC this season. Instead, they currently sit fifth in the Coastal division.

Still, Cristobal maintains that this is simply the beginning of better things to come in Coral Gables. It may not be the start Hurricane fans wanted, but it’s the start they have and it’s now on everyone in the program to make the most of it to create a foundation they can build upon.

“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,” Cristobal said. “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.”

This won’t be the dream season that those at Miami were hoping for when they hired Cristobal away from Oregon. However, what they can’t do is lower their heads and let things get out of hand. They have to press on and create some hope in the final five games of their season. Winning three would mean bowl eligibility which, considering all things, would be at least some sort of consolation prize for their troubles this year.