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Mario Cristobal torched for latest questionable coaching decision vs. Georgia Tech
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Mario Cristobal has drawn intense social media criticism after a coaching gaffe during Miami’s loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Yes, another one.
In fairness to Cristobal, it’s not as bad as his decision to have the Hurricanes not kneel the ball in an inexplicable loss to the Yellow Jackets in 2023 that saw the Canes snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
But many are wondering what his thinking was on Saturday to not call a time-out before the 2-minute warning with the Canes trailing 28-23 and poised to punt the ball to the Jackets, with the possibility of getting the ball back if the defense did its job.
To make matters worse, Cristobal strangely took a TO immediately after the 2-minute warning, and while Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick tried to make sense of the decision on ESPN, it was still an odd one.
The Yellow Jackets eventually were able to burn off the remaining time and seal the biggest upset of the Brent Key era, while handing Miami a massive late-season loss that could have implications on the ACC standings. For the Canes, it’s a second straight defeat at the hands of the Jackets: Cristobal’s team certainly isn’t out of the running for a College Football Playoff spot, but that might involve going 3-0 the rest of the way with Wake Forest, Syracuse, and a potential ACC Championship Game appearance to come.
Here’s just some of the reaction Cristobal drew after Saturday’s defeat:
Mario Cristobal calling timeout when the clock was already stopped and his team was losing by 5 with 2 minutes left is among the worst clock management mistakes I've ever seen.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) November 9, 2024
lmao Mario Cristobol really called a timeout with 2:00 after the 2 minute warning lmao
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 9, 2024
Mario Cristobal taking a timeout immediately after the two minute warning pic.twitter.com/coGK8H3UP6
— Dylan Holt (@DylanHolt_) November 9, 2024
A Mario Cristobal special right there wasting a time out.
— Paul (@TheCorpatty) November 9, 2024
Cristobal doesn’t call timeout and let’s 20 seconds come off the clock and then calls timeout with the clock stopped
They’ll probably still win but it’s insane how bad his game management is
— Ted Ferguson (@tedpferguson) November 9, 2024
Mario Cristobal is the absolute worst when it comes to time management!!! At least use 1 time out to stop them from running the clock down so far. Jesus Christ!!
— Trigga Mike (@MrMikeLowery941) November 9, 2024
https://x.com/jakewinderman/status/1855349323518857540
https://twitter.com/RodnyeTheoc/status/1855349299150000508
Mario called timeout after the 2 minute warning hilarious coach fr
— Anthony (@AntV0321) November 9, 2024
Why would Mario burn a timeout out a 2min warning? If they fake it, that should’ve been addressed in the 2min huddle smh
— C.J. Wilson (@CjWilson850) November 9, 2024
https://twitter.com/therealB_FSU/status/1855350637422133674
Mario Cristobal burns a timeout immediately AFTER the 2:00 warning. It’s 4th and 3 at that point for Ga. Tech. WHAT were you talking about during that 2:00 warning. Why burn a timeout?!?! Did you not expect a fake punt look?!? You burned a timeout AFTER A TIMEOUT!!!
— Jay Scott (@JaySc0tt_) November 9, 2024
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
