Hurricanes’ Cristobal named to 2026 Coach of the Year preseason watch list
After leading the Miami Hurricanes on a run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Mario Cristobal is already receiving some early recognition ahead of the 2026 season.
Cristobal on Thursday was named as one of 20 coaches to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy, which is presented annually the college football head coach “whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.”
According to the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation in its press release announcing the list, that includes leading a team that “enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity — the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy.”
Cristobal led Miami to a 13-3 record in 2025, his third season at the helm of Miami. The Hurricanes earned the final at-large bid into the 12-team College Football Playoff and then proceed to beat Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss to reach the title game, where they ultimately lost to top-seed and undefeated Indiana.
The Hurricanes are expected to be title contenders again this season.
Cristobal is one of three Atlantic Coast Conference coaches on the preseason watch list, joining Louisville’s Jeff Brohm and Georgia Tech’s Brent Key. The list also includes seven coaches from the Big Ten, six from the Southeastern Conference, two from the Big 12, one from the Pac-12 and one independent.
Miami opens the 2026 season on Sept. 4 at Stanford.
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