Miami Hurricanes Football

Rashaun Jones, who is facing a second-degree murder charge for the 2006 killing of Bryan Pata, told police he "had nothing to do with" the death of his former Miami Hurricanes football teammate.

Paula Lavigne of ESPN reported Thursday on the video statement made by Jones for police after he was arrested in August and pleaded not guilty ahead of Monday's scheduled bond hearing.

Pata was shot in the head outside of his apartment in 2006, and an ESPN investigation in 2020 found that Jones has been a suspect since 2007. Per Lavigne, August was the first time Jones had been questioned by police about the evidence against him.

Retired University of Miami writing instructor Paul Conner, who picked Jones out of a photo lineup in 2007 after he told police the day after the shooting he heard a "pop" noise and saw a man jogging through a parking lot, is among those who will be questioned at the bond hearing.

Jones' comments come from a videotaped interview with Miami-Dade Police Department Detective Juan Segovia from the day of his arrest.

"I know how that could look because of the situation," Jones said in the interview while also acknowledging if he was a detective he would see himself as a suspect. "But I'm telling you, I had nothing to do with him dying."

Segovia presented evidence to Jones that included testimony from an eyewitness saying Jones was quickly exiting the area after the shooting, phone records disputing his assertions he was home the night of the shooting, a gun Jones owned and allegedly used to threaten people with, and statements from those who knew them that said Jones threatened Pata after they quarreled about a woman—Jones' ex-girlfriend who was dating Pata.

"I got up from there and went downstairs," Jones said when talking about the fight regarding his ex-girlfriend. "I might have cried a little bit, but it wasn't any ongoing beef where I was at Bryan or trying to hurt Bryan."

He also continued to deny he went near Pata's apartment that night even though he knew where it was because he was friends with his teammate's cousin. He also said allegations he threatened people with the gun were untrue.

"I can't explain to you," he said when asked about the cellphone records indicating he wasn't home. "I don't know. Just really bad luck, really bad. Look, I'm telling you. I have nothing to do with this guy being murdered, nothing. It ain't no 15 years of telling myself I didn't do it."

Jones also said the reason he changed his phone number on the day of the shooting and didn't attend a team meeting was that then-head coach Larry Coker said he was suspended for failing a second drug test and he didn't want people to be able to reach out to him and criticize him for it.

He also pointed to a video of him helping Pata tie his shoes at a football game shortly before the latter's death as proof he did not want his teammate dead.

"If I'm beefing with somebody and I want somebody dead, why am I tying their cleat for? I'm literally down there tying his cleat," Jones said.

In August 2021, Elizabeth Merrill and Lavigne reported Jones could face the death sentence or life without the possibility of parole if he is convicted.

Josh Gattis will reportedly become the next offensive coordinator for the University of Miami, according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.

Gattis has reportedly informed players at Michigan that he has taken the new job, per Tom VanHaaren of ESPN. 

Gattis spent the past three years as Michigan's offensive coordinator, winning the Broyles Award in 2021 as the best assistant coach in the country. The Wolverines won the Big Ten title last season while earning their first-ever spot in the College Football Playoff before losing to Georgia in the Orange Bowl.

The Michigan offense ranked 16th in Division I with an average of 35.8 points per game.

Prior to Michigan, Gattis was co-offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2018 and receivers coach for a unit that featured DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle and Henry Ruggs III.

The 38-year-old also has experience at Penn State, Vanderbilt and Western Michigan.

He now joins a program looking to turn things around under new coach Mario Cristobal. The team finished 7-5 last year under Manny Diaz, but there are high expectations for the new staff, especially after hiring Gattis and seasoned defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.

Gattis will have plenty to work with in his new job, starting with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. The 4-star recruit totaled 2,931 passing yards and 25 touchdowns in 10 games as a freshman in 2021.

Michigan, meanwhile, will have to replace another key member of its staff after defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald left for the Baltimore Ravens. Prior defensive coordinator Don Brown left to become head coach at UMass a year earlier and recently hired another former Michigan coach in Steve Casula, whom Gattis referred to as his "right-hand man," per Aaron McMann of MLive.com.

It leaves plenty of questions for the Wolverines even after Jim Harbaugh remained with the program amid NFL interest. 

Gattis reportedly had internal support to become the next Michigan head coach if Harbaugh had left, per Adam Rittenberg of ESPN. Just a few days later, he is no longer part of the program.

Co-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore could be an internal candidate to replace Gattis, while quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss will also likely get consideration.

The Miami Hurricanes will not participate in the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Washington State because of COVID-19 protocols, the team announced Sunday. 

Miami released an official statement on its website about its withdrawal from the game:

“We are extremely disappointed that our football team will be unable to participate in the 2021 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl,” Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Strawley said. “But due to the number of COVID-19 cases impacting our roster we do not have enough student-athletes to safely compete, and the health and safety of our student-athletes will always be our top priority. This team worked hard all season to earn a bowl invitation and my heart goes out to our student-athletes, especially our seniors. I also want to thank Interim Head Coach Jess Simpson and our football staff for all of their efforts in preparation for this bowl game.

“We regret the impact this has on the Washington State program and their postseason experience. I want to commend the Sun Bowl Association for their tireless work in helping us navigate this situation over the past several days. We are grateful for their support as an Atlantic Coast Conference bowl partner.”

The news comes after ESPN's Andrea Adelson reported on Dec. 23 that multiple Hurricanes players had tested positive for COVID-19. 

Adelson also reported that the team's COVID-19 issues would prevent the Hurricanes from traveling to El Paso, Texas, for the matchup until one day before the game was set to be played on Dec. 31. 

In addition, Sun Bowl executive director Bernie Olivas told Adelson the Hurricanes were "doing everything they can to play" in the Sun Bowl. 

"I think they really want to be at the game; the way I understand it their results are headed in the right direction," Olivas said at the time. "We're all optimistic they're going to be here."

Miami finished the season 7-5 and won five of its final six games to reach bowl eligibility and earn a spot in the Sun Bowl. Washington State also finished 7-5 and won three of its final four games. 

The Hurricanes aren't the first major program to pull out of a bowl game this year. COVID-19 and injuries forced Texas A&M to withdraw from the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest.

Other teams to pull out of their respective bowl games include the Virginia Cavaliers, Boston College Eagles and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. 

Tight end prospect Jaleel Skinner announced Friday he will sign with Miami after initially committing to Alabama.

The 4-star prospect committed to Alabama in October but chose not to sign his letter of intent during Wednesday's start of the early signing period. He has now flipped his commitment, becoming one of the top players in the 2022 class for new head coach Mario Cristobal.

Skinner is considered the third-best tight end in the country, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and the No. 98 player overall.

At 6'5", 210 pounds, Skinner has excellent size for the position with the type of speed that could make him a true mismatch at the higher levels. 

It could represent a significant addition for a Hurricanes squad that finished just 7-5 this season.

This is also a valuable building-block for Cristobal, who was hired as the head coach earlier this month to replace Manny Diaz.

Though Skinner will be just the ninth player signed in the team's 2022 class, eight of those players are 4-star recruits. As Gaby Urrutia of 247Sports noted, Miami's average recruit rating is fifth-best in the country.

It could lead to a quick turnaround for the program as it looks to return to contention in the ACC.   

The NCAA is investigating two "high-profile" NIL deals involving football players at BYU and Miami "for potential violations of the association's interim rules regarding new marketing rights for college athletes," according to Sportico's Daniel Libit and Eben Novy-Williams. 

The two deals might qualify as a pay-for-play setup, per Sportico, which is prohibited under NIL guidelines.

The BYU deal is reportedly in partnership with protein bar company Built, which provided compensation for every member of the football team. The Miami deal was with American Top Team, an MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym, which offered compensation to every member of the Hurricanes football program.

"We have communicated with the NCAA concerning the Built Bar NIL arrangement," Jon McBride, BYU's associate athletic director for communications and media strategy, told Sportico. "They have informed us they do not have any additional questions at this time. We will continue to monitor and abide by the NCAA interim NIL policy."

Miami told Sportico the school had not been contacted by the NCAA about the issue. 

Among prohibitions, NIL compensation cannot be given or offered to players based on their enrollment at specific schools, meaning it can't be dependent on their commitment to play for a school.

The NCAA's interim NIL policy took effect in June, allowing student-athletes to benefit from their names, images and likenesses. Student-athletes are allowed to engage in NIL activity that is consistent with the law of the state where the school is located. In addition, they have to report their NIL deals to their schools. 

Mario Cristobal had his introductory press conference on Tuesday as the new head football coach of the Miami Hurricanes, telling reporters he is "more driven, more motivated than at any point in my life." 

"When The U is on and The U brings it, there's nothing like it," he added. "We gotta get there. That's going to take everybody."

Cristobal, 51, played for the Hurricanes between 1989-92, was a graduate assistant between 1998-00 and served as an assistant coach from 2004-06, so he has no shortage of familiarity with the program. 

"Everything is here," he said. "It's a first-class university, academically, your diploma. You're in the hotbed of talent in the entire country. Your facilities have taken a tremendous upgrade and are going to continue to grow. You're going to be surrounded by the best coaches."

But despite those amenities and Miami's rich football culture, the program has struggled in recent years. Under Manny Diaz, the Hurricanes went just 21-15 since 2019 and lost both of its bowl games. The Hurricanes haven't won an ACC title since 2004, far removed from the last period of dominance under Larry Coker in the early 2000s.  

Cristobal's job is to return the program to the level of its storied past. Between Florida International (2007-12) and Oregon (2017-21) he's gone 62-60 as a head coach, though he led the Ducks to a 35-13 mark and a 12-win season in 2019 and a 10-win season this year. 

"It's been done before with a lot less," Cristobal said of returning Miami to its glory. "Now it's an opportunity to take it to a new level with a lot more."

Miami is paying him handsomely to do so, with The Athletic reporting he was signed to a 10-year, $80 million contract. 

Mario Cristobal has accepted the Miami Hurricanes head coaching job, leaving the Oregon Ducks to return to the program he once played and coached for.

“My family and I are excited to return home to the University of Miami, which has been so instrumental in shaping me as a person, player, and coach,” Cristobal said in a school release. “This program has an unparalleled tradition and an exciting future ahead of it. I can’t wait to compete for championships and help mold our student-athletes into leaders on and off the field who will make our University, our community, and our loyal fan base proud.”

Matt Zenitz of On3Sports and Brett McMurphy of the Action Network first reported Cristobal's decision to take the job.

That followed reports Sunday that the Hurricanes had come to terms with Cristobal and reports Monday the team had fired current head coach Manny Diaz:

Oregon reportedly was aggressive in trying to keep Cristobal. Per John Canzano of The Oregonian, Oregon's offer to Cristobal was "aggressive and in line" with what Lincoln Riley (set to make more than $110 million over his contract) and Brian Kelly ($95 million plus bonuses over 10 years) received from USC and LSU, respectively. 

It was reported in early December that Miami was going to "make a run" at Cristobal for its head coaching position. The Hurricanes were also reportedly "optimistic" about hiring the 51-year-old. 

Cristobal, who was born and raised in Miami, was an offensive lineman for the Hurricanes during his playing days and also served as a graduate assistant to start his coaching career. In addition, he was a tight end and offensive line coach for the school, so he's familiar with the program.

Cristobal was named head coach of the Ducks in December 2017. At the time, he agreed to a five-year contract through January 2023. A new six-year, $27.3 million contract for the head coach was announced in December 2020, and it was supposed to run through 2026. 

Cristobal owns a 35-12 record as Oregon's head coach, including appearances in four bowl games (wins in the 2018 Redbox Bowl and 2019 Rose Bowl). The Ducks have had a winning record in each of his full seasons at the helm, so it should come as no surprise that Miami was interested in his services. 

Manny Diaz has been fired as head coach of the Miami football team, the school announced Monday. Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports was the first to report the decision.

"We are grateful to Coach Diaz for his many contributions to our campus community and to his native South Florida, and for the strong leadership and exemplary character he exhibited during his tenure at the University," Miami President Julio Frenk said in the school release. "We wish him and his family the very best as they move forward."

Diaz was in his third season leading the Hurricanes, accumulating a 21-15 record. The squad went 7-5 in 2021 and is scheduled to face Washington State in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.

According to ESPN's Chris Low and Adam Rittenberg, Miami has had "extensive discussions" with Oregon coach Mario Cristobal to take over the role with the Hurricanes. Cristobal both played at Miami and worked there as an assistant coach earlier in his career. 

Cristobal has a 35-13 record over the past five seasons with Oregon, including a Rose Bowl win after the 2019 season.

Diaz couldn't reach that level in his three seasons, ending the past two years with losses in the Cheez-It Bowl and Independence Bowl.

The Hurricanes reached the Top 10 of the AP poll in 2020 after an 8-1 start to the season, but consecutive losses to end the campaign ruined the excitement. Preseason expectations in 2021 evaporated quickly with a 2-4 start.

Miami has five national championships in its history, most recently in 2001, but the program has only one 10-win season in the last 18 years. The team also has only one bowl win—the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl—since 2006.

The administration is clearly looking for someone who can help return the Hurricanes to their past glory.   

If Mario Cristobal decides to spurn the University of Miami and return to Oregon, he may have cost himself tens of millions of dollars with his flirtation.

John Canzano of The Oregonianˆˆ reported Oregon pulled a 10-year, $85 million contract extension offer as Cristobal considers bolting Eugene to return home to Miami. The report says Cristobal "may have alienated" Nike co-founder Phil Knight, whose support as a booster has played a role in the Ducks' rise to national prominence. 

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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Oregon Ducks head coach Mario Cristobal has reportedly agreed to terms on a contract to become the new head football coach of the Miami Hurricanes, per Barry Jackson, Susan Miller Degnan and Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald. The deal could be worth more than $8 million per year. 

The deal reportedly has not been signed. 

Cristobal was reportedly set to meet with Oregon players at 4:30 p.m., per Brandon Kamerman of KVAL News. However, Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports reported otherwise:

In addition, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reported there was no team meeting scheduled for Sunday afternoon. However, Cristobal is reportedly headed back to Eugene and has cancelled his recruiting visits in California for Monday.

He reportedly had until midday Monday to inform Miami if he wanted the job, per Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger. If Cristobal declined, Manny Diaz would have remained the Hurricanes head coach, as first reported by Jackson.

Cristobal has a deep connection to the program. He was an offensive lineman for the Hurricanes and served as a graduate assistant for the program in 1998. The 51-year-old was also a tight end coach for the Hurricanes from 2004-05 before becoming the team's offensive line coach in 2006. 

Cristobal also reportedly had a contract extension offer on the table from Oregon, per John Canzano of The Oregonian. It was "aggressive and in line" with what Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly received from USC and LSU, respectively. 

Riley will reportedly make more than $110 million over the duration of his contract, while Kelly will make $95 million across 10 years. 

Cristobal became head coach of the Ducks in 2017, taking over Willie Taggart. At the time, he agreed to a five-year contract through January 2023 worth $2.5 million annually. Last December he signed a new six-year, $27.3 million deal that runs through 2026. 

Oregon went 35-13 with Cristobal as its head coach and has had a winning record in each of his full seasons at the helm. His teams have made four bowl games, including wins in the 2018 Redbox Bowl and 2019 Rose Bowl.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes finished the 2021 season with a 7-5 record. It was the team's second straight winning record under Diaz, who's 21-15 at the school.