Mario Cristobal, Miami reportedly agree to contract extension

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mario Cristobal, Miami reportedly agree to contract extension

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Aug 3, 2026 9:43 PM ET

There are few people on earth more ingrained in the culture of the Miami Hurricanes than head coach Mario Cristobal.

Cristobal, the 55-year-old head coach, was born in Miami, and he played college football for the Hurricanes from 1989 to 1992.

He won two national championships with Miami.

He's now been the head coach of the Hurricanes since 2022, and he's brought them right back to the doorstep of greatness. This past season, Miami lost to the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

Cristobal is Miami football, through and through, and the University recognized that on Monday.

According to Brett McMurphy of On3, the Hurricanes and Cristobal have agreed to a contract extension:

NEW: Miami and head coach Mario Cristobal have agreed to a long-term contract extension, @Brett_McMurphy reports https://t.co/EpTxZf3bmT pic.twitter.com/swzyM8XBbO
— On3 (@On3) August 3, 2026

The details of the contract weren't revealed by McMurphy, and this has yet to be announced by the school, but that information should come out in due time.

However it shakes out, this is an extremely mutually beneficial partnership, and Cristobal clearly takes his job at Miami seriously, and he loves the program.

Mario Cristobal and Miami Hurricanes agree to contract extension

In fact, McMurphy is also reporting that this deal will financially benefit Miami as well.

"Cristobal plans to make a substantial donation to the University as part of UM’s ongoing commitment to athletic excellence," McMurphy wrote, citing a source.

Once one of the best programs in college football, the Hurricanes had only one season with 10 or more wins since joining the ACC in 2004.

They went 10-3 in 2024, Cristobal's third season as head coach, and last season the Hurricanes were 13-3 and a few plays away from hoisting another championship trophy.

Miami's last championship was in 2001 under head coach Larry Coker. Cristobal was part of the 1989 and 1991 championship teams.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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