Report: Miami offer could make Mario Cristobal highest paid Canes coach ever

The University of Miami has offered to make current Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal the highest paid football coach in school history, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. There is no agreement in place between the two sides, but the report suggests Miami efforts are in ‘advanced stages.’

“Miami’s offer for (Mario) Cristobal would make him by far the highest paid coach Miami ever had,” Jackson tweeted. “Miami’s efforts are in advanced stages, but Cristobal obviously will need to say yes. (We’ll see). Miami banking on lure of working in hometown for alma mater for good money and giving him what he needs.”

Cristobal is a Miami native who played for the Hurricanes from 1989-92 before starting his coaching career in 1998 as a graduate assistant. The 51-year old coach spent time on staff from 1998-2000, then again as the tight end coach and offensive line coach from 2004-2006.

Since then, Cristobal has emerged as one of college football’s best coaches. In four seasons as head coach at Oregon, he has accumulated a 35-13 record, including a 2-2 run in bowl games. Cristobal led the Ducks to 2019 and 2020 Pac-12 titles with another conference championship game appearances in 2021.

Oregon offers Cristobal extension

Rumors are swirling about Manny Diaz’s job security at Miami and whether Mario Cristobal will leave Oregon to replace him. A new report suggests Cristobal might have a tough decision to make down the road.

John Canzano of The Oregonian reports Oregon has offered Cristobal an “aggressive” new contract as things heat up about Cristobal coaching his alma mater. The report comes shortly after another report suggested Miami was working to make a run at Cristobal soon.

Canzano called the offer “Brian Kelly/Lincoln Riley money,” meaning it could be quite a payday. To put that into perspective, Kelly’s contract with LSU is worth $95 million plus incentives.

Miami coach Manny Diaz’s future has been in question for some time now, and rumors suggest the Hurricanes are interested in either Cristobal or Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin if they choose to move on this offseason.

This also comes after multiple reports said Miami’s search for a new athletic director is “a mess.”

Diaz still has his job as head football coach — at least, for now. But there is a lot happening in Miami as the 7-5 Hurricanes get ready for a bowl game with a new athletic director and a coach on the hot seat.