Mario Cristobal Chose Football Over Secret Service, Now Leads Miami To CFP Game

OutKick • January 18, 2026 • general

Key Points:

Mario Cristobal, currently Miami's head football coach, nearly pursued a career in the Secret Service in 1998 while working as a Graduate Assistant at Miami.
Coming from a family with a strong law enforcement background, Cristobal completed the extensive Secret Service application process and was called to join the agency.
On the eve of starting his Secret Service career, Cristobal had a change of heart, realizing his passion for football outweighed his desire to enter federal service.
With support from Miami coach Larry Coker, Cristobal returned to coaching, leading to a successful career including head coaching roles at FIU and Oregon before returning to Miami.
Cristobal will now lead Miami in a College Football Playoff title game,