University of Miami

Hurricanes touch down in Coral Gables after Fiesta Bowl triumph, set sights on national title game. See photos

By Matias J. Ocner and David Santiago

The University of Miami Hurricanes football team returned to campus in Coral Gables on Friday to a warm welcome at the Hecht Athletic Center, celebrating Thursday’s victory in the Fiesta Bowl over Ole Miss. Players and coaches were greeted by fans and staff as they stepped off buses a day after the team won a College Football Playoff semifinal in the final seconds in Arizona.

With the Fiesta Bowl trophy in hand, the Hurricanes now turn their attention to the national-championship game on Jan. 19 at their home at Hard Rock Stadium in MIami Gardens. Miami awaits Friday’s winner of the Peach Bowl matchup between Oregon and Indiana.

Miami Hurricanes football players arrive at the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes football players arrive at the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal talks with the media after arriving to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal talks to reporters after arriving at the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal greets fans after arriving to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal greets fans after arriving at the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck arrives at the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver CJ Daniels (7) takes a selfie with Michael Leblanc near the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver CJ Daniels takes a selfie with Michael Leblanc near the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes defensive ends coach Jason Taylor arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes defensive ends coach Jason Taylor arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Joshisa Trader (1) throws up the U with Luis Mercado near the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Joshisa Trader (1) throws up the U with Luis Mercado near the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (31) throws up the U with a fan near the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (31) throws up the U with a fan near the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal signs autographs for fans after arriving to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal signs autographs for fans after arriving to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Keelan Marion (0) arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Keelan Marion (0) arrives to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal greets fans after arriving to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal greets fans after arriving to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal takes a photo with fans after arriving to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal takes a photo with fans after arriving to the Hecht Athletic Center on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Coral Gables, Fla. The University of Miami returned home after winning the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday against Ole Miss at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published January 9, 2026 at 7:13 PM.

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