Miami Hurricanes Legend Discusses How Mario Cristobal Can Bring The U "Back"
Mario Cristobal hopes his first two seasons at Miami were the first steps in a slow climb back to the top of college football.
Can the Hurricanes ever recapture the glory they last saw in 2001? Vince Wilfork was a standout freshman defensive tackle on that team. Wilfork, a UM Sports Hall of Famer, played at Miami from '01 through 2003. He only lost three games in three seasons at Miami. Wilfork won Super Bowls with the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2014.
Vince joined me and "The Truth Teller" Bruce Warner on my Locked On Canes podcast and touched on a variety of topics including:
-What it will take to bring Miami back to prominence
-What made the 2001 national championship team so special.
-How the defensive tackle position is evolving in college and the NFL.
-Why it's so important for college players to study film and learn from those who came before them. This was an especially interesting part of the conversation. Wilfork studied great players like Jerome Brown, Cortez Kennedy, Russell Maryland, and Warren Sapp, who came before him at Miami. He advises college players nowadays to approach things in a similar way. Film study and understanding football are paramount.
"People have to understand that things take time," Wilfork said on Miami's current rebuild. "A lot of times, people don't have patience in life. Being a college coach is a tough (job) now with the Transfer Portal and all the new things going on."
"One thing I love about Mario Cristobal is his discipline. He knows what it takes. He was around (winning teams at) Miami, around Alabama, so he's been around success in his coaching career and playing career."
Wilfork loves the fact that Cristobal is such a tireless recruiter.
"He knows recruiting is key. If we can keep our Florida boys down south. We got away from that for too long. I think that's one of the things I love about (Cristobal). He's knows where it starts. I love seeing us trying to keep South Florida and Florida recruits home. I think he's doing a pretty good job. Everyone wants instant success, but it doesn't work like that."
More: Former Miami Quarterback Comments On Canes' Current Depth Chart
