Miami’s Cristobal: ‘He’s gotta figure it out, man,’ on Tyler Van Dyke’s portal decision
University of Miami coach Mario Cristobal on Monday publicly addressed the whirlwind situation he is facing — including quarterback Tyler Van Dyke’s daunting decision that will have a domino effect on the program.
Three days after the University of Miami ensured a winning season (7-5, 3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) with a 45-20 victory at Boston College, Cristobal spoke on WQAM about upcoming transfer portal season, potential staff changes and, of course, Van Dyke.
The big question: Will longtime starter Van Dyke transfer, as many expect, or stay at Miami for his fifth-year senior season? And if he leaves, will he choose to play in the yet-to-be-announced bowl game? He is not expected to enter the NFL Draft, although that’s an option.
“People are saying, ‘Well, Tyler, you gotta know what he’s doing,’’’ WQAM host Joe Rose told Cristobal. Rose also mentioned the other UM quarterbacks, sophomore Jacurri Brown and freshman Emory Williams, who sustained a compound fracture of his left, nonthrowing arm on Nov. 10 at Florida State.
“Yeah, it’s kind of important right?” said Cristobal, stressing that the Hurricanes program is paramount over any individual.
“We feel really strongly about the young guys. Super proud of what Tyler did. He’s gotta figure it out, man.”
Cristobal indicated he’ll be ready to act, if necessary, once he knows Van Dyke’s intentions.
“You know, we’re not going to dance around it or BS it or be in any way, shape or form delicate about the approach. We gotta move forward and certainly want to be respectful and do what’s best for everybody, but for the Miami Hurricanes first.”
Cristobal, discussing the 2024 recruiting class and potential transfers, said the program needs “another 30-plus guys’’ like freshman standouts Rueben Bain, Mark Fletcher and Damari Brown. He said he is in the midst of “laying out this roster management sheet and what the organizational board looks like.”
“There’s opportunity here and there’s opportunity outside,’’ the coach said. “And you can’t be held hostage. You’ve got to have flexibility to move. ...Trying to figure out who to keep, who to help, who’s staying, who’s going. Just being professional as possible doing what’s absolutely best for the program.”
Van Dyke
After the Boston College game, Van Dyke reiterated that his mind was “not really there right now’’ regarding his plans. “The game just ended,’’ Van Dyke said Friday. “I’m just proud of being a Hurricane.’’
Van Dyke finished the regular season 219 of 333 (65.8 percent) for 2,703 yards and 19 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions.
Brown, who didn’t play at all this season, played in eight games in 2022 and started two. He also is believed to be a strong candidate for the transfer portal.
If Van Dyke and Brown choose to transfer and skip the bowl, there will be no healthy scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. The four listed walk-ons have not played.
Cristobal said he would make sure players considering leaving the program get credible information about their options.
“You help them navigate through the noise,’’ Cristobal told WQAM. “You show the guys that it’s relevant to, real draft information, as opposed to some of the BS they get through their people — their advisors. Then you figure out exactly on the roster what you gotta do. If you’re a young quarterback on this roster, if you’re a quarterback on it, you gotta be super excited with the weapons around you and the type of protection you’re going to get.”
Cristobal again called the transfer portal, which opens its 30-day window on Monday, Dec. 4, the “Wild, Wild West.’’
“It’s completely out of control,’’ he said. “And the NCAA, rightfully so, is taking a hard-line stance. If people are messing around they’re going to slam you. But you better be in position, if there is word out there that a guy is going to move here or there. Because you meet with your guys and you gotta be straight-up and realistic, no matter how it comes. No matter which way that meeting goes.
“You need to be ready to upgrade right away, whether it’s coming from the outside or inside. That’s where the focus is right now.”
Cristobal said that his perspective changed five years ago regarding people leaving the program.
“Look,” he said, “any defection that you create or that happens to catch you by surprise, it’s an opportunity to upgrade. So you keep a three-deep at every possible slot —for players, for coaches, for analysts. You just keep that handy and you keep going. It’s exciting. You have an opportunity to get better everywhere when things happen.”
That includes any coaching changes.
Coaching changes?
Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry has been out there among coaching rumors, as UM’s defense made a significant leap this season. The Canes are 26th nationally in total defense, allowing 324.1 yards a game.
“Look man, I’m always going to help coaches garner attention and do things for their career,’’ Cristobal said. “The guys that are here now are happy. I’m sure at some point in time everybody has got to make that decision throughout the course of the year.”
Cristobal apparently is prepared if he needs to make a hire.
“You don’t go into this thing hoping and wishing and worrying. You can’t do that. Have a great list of people. There are some real ones here. There are some real ones out there. Just make sure you get the right ones.”
This story was originally published November 27, 2023 at 9:47 AM.
