First Year Head Coaches At Duke, Miami Are Facing, Opposing Each Other Today In Mike Elko, Mario Cristobal As Duke, Miami Are Facing, Opposing Each Other In Miami Gardens Florida

First year Head Coaches at Duke, Miami are facing, opposing each other today in Mike Elko, Mario Cristobal as Duke, Miami are facing, opposing each other in Miami Gardens Florida

Where?

On the gridiron!

Mike Elko was named Duke University's 22nd head football coach on December 10, 2021.

In Elko's 23 years of coaching, 18 have been spent as a defensive coordinator, including 13 at the FBS level. He has twice been named a semifinalist for the Frank Broyles Award (2017 and 2021), which is given annually to the top assistant coach in college football.

Elko, 44, has coached in eight bowl games, helped two different teams to NCAA Division I-AA quarterfinal appearances and been part of four league championship squads. Serving as the defensive coordinator, Elko's bowl games include the 2009 Humanitarian, 2012 Military, 2013 Little Caesars, 2016 Military, 2017 Citrus, 2018 Gator, 2019 Texas, and the 2020 Orange bowl.

The defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Texas A&M University for the past four seasons under head coach Jimbo Fisher, Elko helped lead the Aggies to a 34-14 (.708) record and four consecutive bowl games.

In his final season, Elko mentored the group to the No. 3 national ranking in scoring defense, allowing just 15.92 points per game, as well as the No. 9 pass efficiency defense (112.00) and No. 7 red zone defense (.710). Texas A&M also ranked seventh in the country by allowing just 4.66 yards per play, tied for 10th in fourth down defense (.353), tied for 12th in total sacks (39.0) and defensive touchdowns (3), 16th in third down defense (.328) and 20th in total defense (327.5).

Prior to his time with the Aggies, Elko spent one season at the University of Notre Dame with head coach Brian Kelly where he helped the defense rank in the top half nationally in four major defensive categories. The Irish were 10-3 during his lone season in South Bend, including a 21-17 win over LSU in the 2017 Citrus Bowl. Notre Dame's unit showed marked improvement in total defense under Elko with an average of 369.2 yards allowed per game. Additionally, the Irish improved at least 20 spots in the national rankings in rushing defense (72nd to 51st), pass efficiency defense (79th to 46th), scoring defense (62nd to 31st), third down defense (60th to 37th), turnovers gained (104th to 50th), sacks (117th to 82nd) and tackles for loss (102nd to 58th).

Elko served three seasons (2014-16) at Wake Forest University as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach for head coach Dave Clawson. His 2016 unit ranked in the top-20 nationally in fumbles recovered (3rd), turnovers forced (10th), sacks (12th), defensive TDs (17th), red zone defense (17th) and scoring defense (20th). That year, the Demon Deacons were one of the four schools in the FBS to rank in the top-20 in turnovers forced, sacks and scoring defense. The three other programs qualified for the College Football Playoff that season (Alabama, Clemson and Washington).

In 2015, the Wake Forest defense ranked 38th in the nation, allowing just 363.8 yards per game. The Demon Deacons also ranked among the national leaders in red zone defense and pass defense efficiency. A year earlier, Wake Forest finished 12th nationally in passing yards allowed and was a top-40 team in total defense. The unit finished with five defensive players earning All-ACC honors.

During his stint in Winston-Salem, he mentored All-ACC and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up Jessie Bates III, who finished with 93 tackles and five interceptions in his career, including two that were returned for a touchdown in 2016.

Elko was also on Clawson's staff for five seasons (2009-13) as Bowling Green's defensive coordinator and linebackers (three seasons) and safeties (two seasons) coach. He helped the Falcons to three bowl game appearances and saw his unit finish first in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense and pass defense efficiency in each of his last two years. Over his five seasons as defensive coordinator, the Falcons forced 106 turnovers (1.7 per game) and held opponents to just a 35.9 percent conversion rate on third downs. In both 2012 and 2013, Bowling Green ranked in the top 10 in the nation in both total defense and scoring defense.

In 2012 alone, the Falcons held their opposition to under 100 yards rushing in nine contests and would end the season ranked 11th in sacks (38), 12th in rushing defense (106.5), 13th in pass defense efficiency (190.1) and fifth in first downs allowed (15.1).

Under Elko's guidance, Bowling Green had seven different players earn 14 All-MAC honors, including three-time recipients Chris Jones and Dwayne Woods. Jones would go on to be named a 2012 First Team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

Prior to Bowling Green, Elko was the defensive coordinator at Hofstra from 2006-08. He also served on Clawson's staffs at Richmond in 2004-05 and at Fordham in 2002-03.

In 2007 the Pride's defense ranked first in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and 11th in the FCS in rushing defense, second in the conference and 15th in the country in total defense, and fourth in the CAA and 37th in the FCS in scoring defense. With Fordham, Elko helped the 2002 team to a Patriot League title after a 10-3 season.

Elko's coaching experience also includes one-year stints at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (2001), where he served as defensive coordinator, and at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania (2000), directing the secondary. The Quakers won the 2000 Ivy League title during his lone season on staff. He began his coaching career at Stony Brook in 1999 where he guided the linebackers in the fall and the defensive backs in the spring.

“According to Mike Elko’s biography on goduke.com”
Mario Cristobal has returned home to Miami.

Cristobal, who helped lead the University of Miami to two national championships in 1989 and 1991 as a standout offensive lineman, was named the University’s 26th football head coach on December 6, 2021.

One of college football’s most highly regarded coaches, Cristobal returned to his alma mater after leading the University of Oregon to three straight Pac-12 Conference championship game appearances and two Pac-12 titles. He is the only coach in the nation whose team has played in a Power Five conference championship game in each of the past three seasons.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Mario, his wife, Jessica, and their sons Mario Mateo and Rocco home to Miami,” UM President Julio Frenk said. “Mario’s legacy as a student-athlete at the U is well established. And the standard for competitive excellence that he and his teammates helped establish is one to which we continue to aspire. Our selection, however, was not one based in nostalgia for a proud past, but rather in a bold vision for a promising future.

“The characteristics that helped Mario excel as a national championship-winning player—drive, determination, and discipline—continue to propel his success as a coach. In Mario we have found a head coach who shares our belief in providing student-athletes with the very best opportunities to succeed on and off the field, and our commitment to winning at the highest level.”

“My family and I are excited to return home to the University of Miami, which has been so instrumental in shaping me as a person, player, and coach,” Cristobal said. “This program has an unparalleled tradition and an exciting future ahead of it. I can’t wait to compete for championships and help mold our student-athletes into leaders on and off the field who will make our University, our community, and our loyal fan base proud.”

Cristobal brings more than 20 years of FBS coaching experience to Coral Gables, including 10 as a head coach. He compiled a 35-13 record at Oregon, leading the Ducks to consecutive Pac-12 titles in 2019 and 2020. Oregon advanced to three straight conference championship games from 2019 to 2021 and earned bowl-game appearances in each of Cristobal’s seasons in Eugene, highlighted by a Rose Bowl victory that capped a 12-win season and No. 5 ranking in the final Associated Press and AFCA Coaches polls in 2019. Cristobal was named the Associated Press Pac-12 Coach of the Year for his efforts that season.

Over Cristobal’s first three seasons in Eugene, Oregon players earned 44 all-conference selections and 14 players were selected in the NFL Draft, including first-round selections in each of the past three drafts. With the selections of Kayvon Thibodeaux (2022), Penei Sewell (2021) and Justin Herbert (2020), Cristobal is one of only two active head coaches to produce top-10 picks in each of the last three drafts.

During his tenure as both an assistant and head coach at Oregon, two players—Noah Sewell and Thibodeaux—earned Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors, and three players—Thibodeaux, Penei Sewell, and Tyrell Crosby—earned the Morris Trophy, awarded to the Pac-12’s best offensive and defensive linemen. Cristobal served as Oregon’s co-offensive coordinator, run-game coordinator, and offensive line coach during the 2017 season before being elevated to head coach.

Cristobal’s national title-winning pedigree isn’t limited to his time as a player. At Alabama, where he served as assistant head coach, offensive line coach, and recruiting coordinator, he helped lead the Crimson Tide to the national championship in 2015 and a runner-up finish the following season.

During his four years in Tuscaloosa, from 2013 to 2016, five Alabama offensive linemen were selected in the NFL Draft and, with Cristobal’s tutelage, the 2015 offensive line unit won the inaugural Joe Moore Award, given to the most outstanding offensive line unit in the nation.

Considered one of the country’s elite recruiters and evaluators of talent, Cristobal, during his tenures at both Alabama and Oregon, helped assemble national top-15 recruiting classes eight straight years, with seven of those classes rated in the top 10. The 2018 class at Alabama produced three NFL first-round draft picks. At Oregon, he constructed the Pac-12’s top-rated recruiting classes in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Cristobal’s move to Miami brings his coaching career full circle. A son of South Florida who played prep football at nearby Christopher Columbus High School, he launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Miami from 1998 to 2000 under head coach Butch Davis. He served as an assistant coach at Rutgers from 2001 to 2003 and then returned to Miami as an assistant coach from 2004 to 2006 under head coach Larry Coker.

In 2007, Cristobal was named head coach at Florida International University, becoming the first Cuban American head coach in FBS history. He inherited a struggling FIU program that had been winless the year before his arrival and, in just his fourth season, led it to the Sun Belt Conference title and a bowl-game victory. That season, 2010, he was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year. In total, he coached six seasons at FIU, from 2007 to 2012.

Cristobal, who played his Hurricanes career under coaches Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson, was an All-Big East selection in 1992. He is a double-alumnus of the University of Miami, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree from the University. Cristobal was born in Miami on Sept. 24, 1970. He and his wife, Jessica, married in June 2006 and are the parents of two sons, Mario Mateo and Rocco.

Mike Elko replaced David Cutcliffe who parted ways with Duke Director Of Athletics Nina King following a 3-9 overall record 0-8 in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Mario Cristobal replaced Manny Diaz who was fired following a 7-5 5-3 record in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference following numerous reports indicated the school was making a significant offer to lure Oregon coach Mario Cristobal back to Miami, where he played and served as an assistant coach under Larry Coker.

Cristobal informed Oregon on Monday morning that he's leaving for the Miami job. The Hurricanes announced his hire Monday afternoon.

Following Manny Diaz firing from Miami Manny Diaz had this say!

"I am disappointed in the University's decision and the manner in which this played out over the last few weeks," Diaz said in a statement. "The uncertainty impacted our team, our staff and their families -- these are real people that gave everything to this program. For that, for them, I hurt."

“According to David M. Hale’s article on espn.com”

First year Head Coaches at Duke, Miami are facing, opposing each other today in Mike Elko, Mario Cristobal as Duke, Miami are facing, opposing each other in Miami Gardens Florida.

Duke comes into the game with Miami with a record of 4-1-2 in the Coastal Division Of The Atlantic Coast Conference and is fifth in the Coastal Division standings behind Miami because they’ve lost two straight games including last Saturday’s game to North Carolina in Durham by a score of 38-35.

In Duke’s 38-35 loss to North Carolina Jordan Waters broke loose for a 38-yard touchdown to give Duke the lead, 35-31, with 10:12 remaining in the game as Duke scored 14 straight after trailing 31-21. Duke had the ball back in the red zone looking to ice the game away in the final minutes, but penalties stunted the drive and a missed field goal gave UNC life.
Those penalties included an illegal chop block called on Duke’s right tackle Andre Harris.

Following Duke’s 38-35 loss to North Carolina Duke was denied the victory bell as North Carolina scored the go ahead touchdown with Duke Head Coach Mike Elko had this to say about the illegal shock block following Duke’s 38-35 loss!

I think it was a post chop It was just one of those things that happened. I don’t know if anyone did something we didn’t coach . It just kind of happened and obviously happened at the worst time.

“According to Stephen Wiseman’s article on newsobserver.com”

Miami comes into the game with a record of 3-1 1-1 in the Coastal Division Of The Atlantic Coast Conference and is fourth in the Coastal Division standings behind Pittsburgh because unlike Duke they won their previous game 20-14 at Virginia Tech last Saturday who like Duke, Miami is a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference because Miami dominated the first three quarters in Blacksburg and then held on to defeat Virginia Tech.

Miami executed in all three phases to stop a three-game losing streak. Van Dyke was again terrific at quarterback, leading an offense that amassed 458 total yards. He completed 29 of 46 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns. He also converted two key third downs on Miami’s final drive to seal the victory. It was Van Dyke’s eighth career 300-yard game and he connected with eight different receivers.

One of those receivers was Colbie Young , who had a breakout game with nine catches for 110 yards and one touchdown. Young entered the game with just three career grabs and one score. Tight end Will Mallory had three catches for 62 yards and wide receiver Brashard Smith added six receptions for 76 yards.

Miami’s defense held the Hokies to 257 total yards and racked up six sacks, led by defensive end Akheem Mesidor , who had eight tackles and 3.5 of those sacks. Safety Avantae Williams had a fumble recovery to set up the Canes’ first touchdown. Virginia Tech fumbled on its opening drive and averaged less than 12 yards on its next eight drives before scoring two touchdowns in the last quarter.

Andres Borregales hit both of his field goal attempts and Lou Hedley averaged 44.6 yards on seven punts, dropping four inside the 20. The Hokies’ punt return yardage total? Minus-one.

Grant Wells threw for 179 yards with one passing and one rushing touchdown. But Virginia Tech managed just 78 rushing yards and couldn’t muster any scoring until the final quarter. The Canes did commit 17 penalties, which helped keep Virginia Tech in the game late.

Following Miami’s 20-14 win Head Coach Cristobal had this to say!

For us, it’s simple,“You’re at a place because either things went really well and someone moved on or you’re at a place because things didn’t go so well and there’s change. When there’s change, there’s pains that come with it. No one likes to lose a game or two. But you also recognize, ‘What are the steps that have to be taken? Where do we have to get better?’ There’s progress in a lot of places and some we have to keep developing talent. Some is talent acquisition.

“But this whole thing today, honestly, it’s about the players in that locker room. Everything has to be about the players, the way they prepared, the way they overcame injuries…and to be on the road and still find a way to win, those guys in there deserve all the credit. They deserve all the credit. They deserve praise for it.”“According to article by Carter Toole on miamihurricanes.com”

Kickoff is set for 12:30pm from Hard Rock Stadium that is not only home to the Miami Hurricanes though the Miami Dolphins of the NFL as well!

The game is going to be televised on Regional Sports Network!