‘It Was Frightening’: Mario Cristobal Makes Surprise Michael Irvin Admission After Nick Saban Claim

When Mario Cristobal looks back, he laughs at how Miami legend Michael Irvin ended up being one of the guys showing him around during his recruiting visit. Irvin played for the Hurricanes for three years, from 1985-87. The program seemed to be greater than life, and Cristobal honestly didn’t think he was good enough to run with them, so it was a little scary to him. But did having the 3x Super Bowl-winning NFL Hall of Famer by his side help him? That’s what Cristobal reveals in a recent interview.

On the September 24 episode of On3, when Cristobal talks about Michael Irvin, you can almost feel his sense of awe and intimidation as a kid, as he recalls his official visit to Miami. “He was one of the many hosts I had… and it was frightening… those guys were really good players and high-level just dudes, and they had a great edge to them, and man, I wanted to be a Hurricane so badly. I just didn’t think I was good enough… but I just wanted in.” Imagine feeling as though you don’t belong among the legends like Irvin, that’s the level of respect these guys had.

However, it was more than just fear; it was a strong desire to fit in the right way that overshadowed everything else. Cristobal did not care about flashy uniforms or cutting-edge facilities. “I didn’t care about the facility,” he said, describing his desire to be one of those men in the trenches. “I didn’t care about the uniform. I just wanted in. I wanted to be one of those dogs. And coming here to Miami, guys like that… after they bounce you around, man, and kick your butt in practice, they put their arm around you. They make you one of the brothers.” Cristobal saw through the hype and gave feeling intimidated a back seat. He fought for every opportunity to prove himself because of the mentorship and toughness that drew him in.

Now, as a coach, Cristobal sees the same spirit every week. Irvin and other Miami icons continue to show up, mentor the younger players, and ensure that the program remains grounded. “So he and so many other guys that come in on a weekly basis, it’s just a whole different level of brotherhood, and they’re doing a great job mentoring our young guys… helping our guys move forward, making Miami move forward, and compete for championships,” said Cristobal. And that’s the magic of Miami, where legends pull you in and make you feel like a member of the family rather than inspiring you from a distance. And Cristobal has that same respect for mentorship and hard work with the former coach, Nick Saban.

Mario Cristobal gets real about Nick Saban

When discussing his former coach, Nick Saban, Cristobal doesn’t hold back and mixes in respect with a little lighthearted jab. He made a joke about watching out for Saban whenever he comes to Miami, “Oh, yeah. We talk on occasion. I always promise to keep the Dolphin fans from annihilating him when he comes into town because he doesn’t speak any Spanish.” Their bond is clearly based on years of trust, guidance, and common experiences, and extends beyond football.

Cristobal would literally drag Saban around the state when he was recruiting in South Florida, introducing him to dozens of players and schools every day. “South Florida was my area. So I’d always bring him into town and drive him bananas… take us to about 14 schools a day and get him introduced to all the people down here. He was awesome. He was a great mentor,” he said. Cristobal expresses gratitude with humor, claiming that he still messes with Saban, such as joking about “probably didn’t pay me enough for getting him out of players” or how Saban is always grinding and also “too busy doing TV.”

Even after all these years, Cristobal emphasizes his admiration for Saban and his family. “The guy’s a grinder, man. I call him like he’s an eternal competitor; he just doesn’t stop. Super valuable resource. He and Miss Terry, they were awesome to me, to my wife, and my family. So, very, very grateful for him,” Cristobal said. Through all the teasing and stories, it’s clear Cristobal’s respect for both Irvin and Saban runs deep as they shaped him as a player, a coach, and a person who drives him and his program today.