UNDATED (AP) — Miami and Colorado State hired new head football coaches on Monday, while Notre Dame and Oklahoma unveiled their coaching hires.
Mario Cristobal is back with his alma mater, leaving Oregon to become the Hurricanes’ head coach. He replaces Manny Diaz, who was dismissed on Monday after going 21-15 in three seasons, including a 7-5 mark this year.
Cristobal went 35-13 with two Pac-12 titles as head coach of the Ducks. Oregon tried to retain him as the team went from CFP contenders earlier this season to losers of the conference title game against Utah.
Colorado State hired the first Black head football coach in program history Monday, bringing in Nevada’s Jay Norvell to take over for Steve Addazio. Norvell is coming off a season in which he guided the Wolf Pack to an 8-4 record and a spot in the Quick Lane Bowl. The offensive innovator has led his team to bowl games in four of the five seasons he’s been at Nevada, going 33-26 since being hired by the Wolf Pack in December 2016.
Marcus Freeman was formally introduced as the 30th head football coach of the Fighting Irish as he replaces Brian Kelly, who became the program’s all-time winningest coach this season before heading to LSU. Brent Venables takes over at Oklahoma after successful runs as defensive coordinator for the Sooners and Clemson since 2004.
