Miami Hurricanes Rebuilds Community Love Under Mario Cristobal's Leadership

Miami Hurricanes football General Manager Dennis Smith recently shared a story that showcases the significant progress the program has made under Mario Cristobal's leadership. The story revolves around a local park team where Smith asked the kids to raise their hands if they were Miami Hurricanes fans. Initially, only one kid responded, but fast-forward to the present, and 200 kids flock to watch Malachi Toney, Mark Fletcher, Rueben Bain, and Akheem Mesidor, indicating a renewed interest in the team. This shift is a result of Smith and Cristobal's efforts to rebuild the program and re-establish its connection with the local community. The duo, both alumni of the university, aimed to inject pride and commitment into the program, focusing on recruiting top talent from the area. They have been successful in this endeavor, with eight of the 19 commits in the current class hailing from within a two-hour radius of the campus. The local connection is strong, with players like Bain, who played at Miami Central and became an All-American, and Fletcher, who played at American Heritage School in nearby Plantation, Florida. Smith and Cristobal's goal is to win a championship, and their efforts to rebuild the program are yielding positive results.