5 coaches whose jobs will be saved this year by the 12-team CFP in 2024

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Oct 7, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal walks on the field in the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Mario Cristobal, Miami

You could argue that Cristobal should have been fired on the field after the loss to Georgia Tech. All he needed to do was have his quarterback kneel the ball and Miami’s season doesn’t go into the tank. Instead, the Hurricanes have lost four of their last six games to get to 6-4 on the season.

He’s been a high-priced disappointment at his alma mater while Dan Lanning has Oregon in the CFP conversation. Miami’s quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke regressed over the past two seasons and was benched for Emory Williams in Week 11. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.

Yet, the expanded playoff is going to ease tensions all across the country, especially at Miami. Cristobal never took Oregon to the CFP in his four-year tenure, but he did lead the Ducks to No. 6 in the final CFP rankings of 2019.

Cristobal has the track record to justify patience, especially with the expanded playoff. Miami feels very far away from the top 4, but the top 12 is attainable. Cristobal better get his team there soon, or he’ll be out.

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