Alabama Football Opens Spring Practice

Crimson Tide work in shorts and helmets and welcome nine newcomers to the practice field

Cristobal spent the last six seasons (2007-12) as head coach at Florida International University. He led the Panthers to the 2010 Sun Belt Conference title and their first bowl appearance, a victory in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl over Toledo. He was the 2010 Sun Belt Coach of the Year and also guided FIU to a bowl appearance in 2011 (Beef O'Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl). He most recently joined Miami's staff on January 10, 2013, where he served as associate head coach and tight ends coach.

Before taking over as the head coach at FIU, Cristobal was an assistant at Miami for three seasons (2004-06). He was the tight ends coach the first two seasons and offensive line coach in 2006. His first full-time coaching position was as an assistant at Rutgers, where he coached tight ends and offensive line from 2001-03. From 1998-2000, Cristobal was a graduate assistant on the Miami Hurricanes staff.

Cristobal was a four-year letter winner for the University of Miami from 1988-92, playing for Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson. During his four years at UM, the Hurricanes won a pair of National Championships (1989 and 1991) while playing in two Sugar Bowls, one Cotton Bowl and an Orange Bowl. Cristobal was a first team All-Big East selection as an offensive tackle in 1992.

Following his college playing career, Cristobal signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos in 1994. He played for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in 1995 and 1996.

The Miami native was a prep standout at Christopher Columbus High School. He graduated from Miami in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and later earned a master's degree from UM in 2001.

Cristobal and his wife Jessica were married in June of 2006 and have two sons (Mario, Jr. and Rocco).