It was certainly a strong possibility that Mario Cristobal would choose to go home to Miami to become the Canes new head football coach.
After all, Miami is home to Cristobal.
It’s also where he played his college football and where he cut his coaching teeth as a grad assistant.
Even Oregon AD Rob Mullens had a suspicion it was a possibility.
So much so, he told the media on Monday he began working on a new and highly lucrative deal two weeks ago to maintain the momentum and success Cristobal had built here in Eugene.
“The University of Miami made it clear that Mario was a person of interest” said Mullens.
“Obviously we’ve been well aware of it. We started these conversations because of the success,….understanding that’s the alma mater, that’s home, and all the elements that go into it. So yes, we were well aware and managed it day to day.”
According to Mullens, he wasn’t aware of Cristobal’s final decision until early Monday morning when the two met face to face to discuss the coach’s decision to depart Eugene for Miami.
It was after that meeting that both Cristobal and Mullens met with the Duck team as a whole to notify them of the decision.
While Mullens was in constant contact with Cristobal, he said it was his understanding that Miami didn’t formally talk to Cristobal until Saturday morning after the Pac-12 Championship game.
Hurricane athletic staff members contacted Cristobal directly, rather than ask permission to speak with Cristobal, which Mullens described as a breath of ethical protocols.
“No, I’m not aware of that” explained Mullens when he was asked about a report that the Canes had actually contacted Cristobal weeks ago.
“In fact, two things,…one, Miami never reached out to me. So the courtesy that typically extends in this business is that the institution that is interested in talking to your coach just provides the courtesy. And that never happened, so it was not directly to me. I talked to Mario and his representatives multiple times and what was shared with me is the official contact came on Saturday morning.”
Mullens also shared he and the University of Oregon had reached a new agreement on terms with Cristobal’s agent, but felt it was a possibility Cristobal would lean heavily on going home.
Of course with Cristobal’s departure comes a lot of speculation of who might follow him to Miami, including current players on the Duck team.
According to Mullens, when Cristobal addressed the team Monday morning he encouraged his players to remain at Oregon and to continue to fulfill their dream of playing for the Ducks.
“Mario said directly to those student-athletes today that they committed to the University of Oregon” explained Mullens.
“That Oregon has everything they need to fulfill their dreams and that he in fact encouraged them to continue the path that they’re on.”
OREGON ATHLETIC DIRECTOR ROB MULLENS DISCUSSES MARIO CRISTOBAL DEPARTURE AND WHAT’S NEXT