How Cristobal has been good for Miami Hurricanes business. And UM pursues transfers
If Mario Cristobal completes his 10-year, $80 million contract, he will pocket tens of millions more than any UM coach ever has.
But even before a single game is played, Cristobal already has been very good for business.
After Cristobal’s hiring, UM sold 2000 new season tickets in the first week they went on sale last month, according to a Hurricanes spokesperson.
And Chris Cohen, UM’s senior associate athletic director of development, said Monday that the Hurricanes’ athletic department has received nearly $1 million in donations since Cristobal’s hiring Dec. 7.
Included in that amount are seven donations for a combined $500,000 through UM’s new Athletic Director Society, which was launched in June when Blake James was athletic director.
That money — raised since the hiring of Cristobal and new athletic director Dan Radakovich — will be earmarked toward various areas (such as the recruiting budget or locker room enhancements) once Radakovich has had time to evaluate where that money can be most helpful.
Radakovich, Clemson’s former athletic director, began his UM tenure on Monday.
Meanwhile, since Cristobal’s hiring, UM also has raised more than $400,000 for the student impact annual fund. That money supports the athletic department’s annual operations.
That $400,000 includes $250,000 in donations by 12 new members of the Golden Canes club.
That Golden Canes club — whose membership increased from $20,000 to $25,000 — is now at capacity (200), with a waiting list of 20 or so. Golden Canes have some of the stadium’s best lower-bowl seats with access to a hospitality lounge.
So enthusiasm is high.
“It’s exciting,” Cohen said. “The institution has demonstrably increased their investment, but it’s going to take a commitment from us to sustain what we want to do and support what we want to do. You can see the heightened level of financial support and engagement [over the past month].
“I was here in 2017 [when the football team started] 10-0 and the momentum we had as institution and we were able to do some pretty exciting things [including completing financing for the indoor practice facility]. I’m looking forward to 5-to-10 years of sustained success at a high level. And the potential of what we can accomplish with sustained success in all sports will be tremendous for our department.”
Cohen said fans can donate at give2um.com.
Meanwhile, Harry Rothwell — who owns the allCanes retail store near UM’s campus (allcanes.com) — said he has sold a few hundred of the “I’m All In Coach Cristobal” T-shirt.
On the back, the shirt says “Own the state, restore the glory” and lists the years of the five national championships.
Selling that much of anything “is unusual in a short period of time,” Rothwell said.
Since Cristobal’s hiring, “sales are definitely up from the last couple of years,” Rothwell said. “People are very optimistic and excited.”
PORTAL TARGETS
The Canes are targeting upgrades at linebacker and defensive line in the transfer portal.
According to Canesport, they have made an offer to UCF middle linebacker Tatum Bethune and have had conversations, but haven’t made an offer, UAB’s Kris Moll, a Coral Gables High product.
Bethune — who’s 6-1 and 225 pounds — had 108 tackles — including 5.5 for loss — and two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble for UCF last season. UM has a decent chance to land him.
Moll — who played linebacker and safety for UAB — has offers from SMU, Arizona, UCF and Louisville. He had 102 tackles in 13 games in 2019, 59 tackles in eight games in 2020 and 14 tackles in four games last season.
UM also continues to court multiple defensive linemen in the portal.
Besides making an offer to Hawaii transfer Jonah Laulu, the Canes also offered UAB defensive end Antonio Moultrie, who was second-team All Conference USA last season.
Moultrie, 6-4 and 225 pounds, had 62 tackles (including eight for loss) and two sacks this past season.
Per 247 Sports, UM also has interest in Albany defensive end Jared Verse, who had 9.5 sacks last season and is targeted by several strong FBS programs. UM remains among a half dozen schools in play.
And 247 Sports said UM made an offer to Virginia offensive line transfer Ryan Swoboda, a former starter at right tackle.
▪ Class of 2022 St. Louis-based four star receiver Kevin Coleman and Las Vegas-based defensive end Cyrus Moss plan to announce their decisions at the Adidas All-American Game in San Antonio on Saturday. UM is in play for both.
▪ UM will hold an “Elite Prospect Day” for the class of 2023 recruits (and some others) on Jan. 22.
A handful of five-star recruits are expected to attend, including Plantation American Heritage receiver Brandon Inniss (Rivals’ No. 5 player in the 2023 class), Tacoma, Washington-based defensive lineman Jayden Wayne (Rivals’ No. 10 player), Orlando-based edge player Malik Bryant (No. 18), and Bradenton IMG Academy tight end/edge player Samuel M’Pemba (No. 9).
This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 4:03 PM.
