Mario Cristobal officially adds another former Oregon assistant

Former Oregon assistant Alex Mirabal has officially joined Mario Cristobal’s Miami staff as the offensive line coach and assistant head coach, according to a press release. The potential move was first brought up by On3’s Justin Hopkins in early December when multiple Oregon assistants received offers from their former boss.

Like Mario Cristobal, Alex Mirabal is a Miami native and played high school football alongside his boss. He has been on every staff built by the new Miami hire since he took his first head coaching job at FIU in 2007.

Mirabal helped build the Oregon offensive line into one of the best in the country over his tenure, including the development of 2021 first round draft pick Penei Sewell over three seasons with the Ducks. He has also been recognized as a top recruiter in country.

Mario Cristobal on Alex Mirabal

Within the press release, new Miami head coach Mario Cristobal provided a statement on the hire and reunion with Alex Mirabal in their hometown.                                                                                                      

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Coach Mirabal back home,” Cristobal said in the press release. “From Outland Trophy winners to All-Americans to all-conference players, Coach Mirabal has a reputation as the best offensive line coach in the country and one who is elite at talent development. He also has a track record as one of the very top recruiters in the nation.

“I know Coach Mirabal is excited to return to his roots in Miami and I know he will make a tremendous impact on the physicality our offense and the culture of the Miami Hurricanes program as a whole.”

Mirabal also released a statement on his excitement to join the staff and return home.

“It’s a blessing to be back home,” Mirabal said. “My job is to make these guys understand that it’s a privilege and an honor to coach here, and it’s a privilege and honor to play here. We have to make sure that those men who came before us are proud of how we’re carrying ourselves. It always starts at the front, on the offensive and defensive lines. The program here has traditionally been tremendous along both lines of scrimmage, and it’s our job to uphold that tradition.”