Miami Hurricanes' Mario Cristobal Named on Dodd Trophy Watchlist

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MIAMI, Fla. – At every previous stop, Mario Cristobal left a significant impact. He delivered Florida International University its only Sun Belt Conference title in 2010. In four full years as Oregon’s head coach, Cristobal won a couple of Pac-12 championships, including two double-digit win seasons.

Currently in Miami, the former Hurricanes offensive tackle returned home and restored the program to its competitive roots. Coming off a National Championship appearance – the first since 2003 – Cristobal is close to bringing back a title to the Coral Gables campus. Despite facing doubts and questions from a leadership standpoint, he silenced them all.

Ahead of the 2026 college football season, Cristobal was named on the Dodd Trophy watchlist. The award celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership, and integrity. Cristobal joins a list with 19 other notable names:

– Curt Cignetti (Indiana)

– Bret Bielema (Illinois)

– Jeff Brohm (Louisville)

– Spencer Danielson (Boise State)

– Ryan Day (Ohio State)

– Kalen DeBoer (Alabama)

– Sonny Dykes (TCU)

– Mike Elko (Texas A&M)

– Kirk Ferentz (Iowa)

– Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame)

– Willie Fritz (Houston)

– Josh Heupel (Tennessee)

– Brent Key (Georgia Tech)

– Dan Lanning (Oregon)

– Lincoln Rey (USC)

– Steve Sarkisian (Texas)

– Kirby Smart (Georgia)

– Brent Venables (Oklahoma)

No University of Miami football head coach has ever won the award in its history. Cristobal has a strong case to be the first coming off a program’s best 13-3 season. He showed remarkable leadership before the final four games of the regular season.

Following the Hurricanes’ two losses against Louisville and SMU, Cristobal helped the team rejuvenate the early 5-0 success and dominate heading into the College Football Playoffs. They got past Texas A&M and Ohio State – never trailing either matchup – and survived a back-and-forth fourth quarter against Ole Miss.

None of the recent success happens without Cristobal. As a former Hurricanes player, he understands what it takes to find high-level success. The 55-year-old has delivered a hard-nosed style of coaching to a reviving program.

Ahead of fall camp and the upcoming regular season, the Hurricanes are established National Championship contenders. It will take Cristobal’s leadership to help the team deliver on hopes. He’s known to conduct difficult practices so players are better prepared for in-game action.

Cristobal has established a new culture and standard within the program. It will be up to him to maintain it and build off the historic success.

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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: alexagmu@gmail.com | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports

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