Miami coach Mario Cristobal dismisses hype around his team as he prepares for Fiesta Bowl
January 3, 2026
Mario Cristobal doesn’t want to hear anyone say “The U Is Back.” The Miami Hurricanes are in the College Football Playoff semifinals, despite midseason losses and doubts from pundits. They’ve tied a school record with 12 wins and are close to their first national championship since 2001. But Cristobal isn’t focused on that. Miami faces Mississippi in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday. Cristobal emphasizes avoiding distractions and maintaining focus, a lesson he learned from former Alabama coach Nick Saban. All semifinal coaches have ties to Saban, sharing a focus on recruiting, schemes, and player development.