Was Miami’s 2024 Season a Success? 8 Thoughts on the Hurricanes’ Present and Future

The University of Miami Hurricanes’ football program has long been a symbol of excellence, featuring a history steeped in national championships, legendary players, and elite coaching. However, after several years of mediocrity and failed expectations, the 2024 season presented both a crucial crossroads and a glimmer of hope. So, was Miami’s 2024 season a success? To truly evaluate, one must look at several key factors: performance on the field, progress under head coach Mario Cristobal, the trajectory of the program, and its long-term prospects. Here, we’ll break down eight thoughts on where the Hurricanes stand, assessing both their present status and future outlook.

1. Improvement on the Field: A Step Forward, but Not a Leap

In terms of pure performance, Miami’s 2024 season demonstrated notable improvement. Under head coach Mario Cristobal, the Hurricanes showed incremental progress compared to previous seasons, finishing with a respectable record that may have included a few notable upsets over ranked opponents. This was a team that seemed to be maturing under Cristobal’s leadership.

However, while improvement is a positive sign, Miami still fell short of competing for the ACC Championship or earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. They managed to stay competitive but often faltered in crucial games, particularly against conference rivals like Florida State and North Carolina, which are also on the rise. These defeats were emblematic of Miami’s struggle to break through at the very top tier of college football.

Thus, the 2024 season could be seen as a success only in the sense that it was a step forward for the program, but it wasn’t the breakthrough year that Miami fans had been hoping for. They showed they could compete, but consistent execution and finishing strong in big games still remain as key objectives for the years to come.

2. Quarterback Play: The Ongoing Question

One of the most significant areas of concern for Miami in 2024 was quarterback play. Despite a talented group of quarterbacks—led by incumbent starter Tyler Van Dyke—Miami still struggled to find consistency at the most critical position on the field. Van Dyke’s play, while at times brilliant, was erratic, and the offensive system seemed to lack a true identity at times. In a season filled with ups and downs, this inconsistency under center proved to be a key limitation.

Miami’s offense, which struggled to put up points against top-tier defenses, was often marred by turnovers and inability to execute in high-pressure situations. The quarterback play didn’t reach the level that would have put the Hurricanes into the upper echelon of the ACC. This ongoing issue highlighted the need for either further development of Van Dyke or a change at the position altogether.

For Miami to make a serious leap in future seasons, securing elite quarterback play is non-negotiable. If Cristobal can solidify this position—either through continued development or by recruiting a dynamic quarterback talent—Miami’s offense could take a major step forward.

3. Recruiting Successes: Building for the Future

One of the brightest aspects of Miami’s 2024 season was the continued success on the recruiting trail under Mario Cristobal. The Hurricanes secured some key commitments from elite high school talent, particularly in the trenches, where the team has long been underwhelming. Miami’s 2024 recruiting class included top-rated offensive linemen, defensive players, and skill-position athletes, providing optimism for the future.

Cristobal has made it clear that his philosophy revolves around winning in the trenches, which is the backbone of successful college football programs. While the 2024 season showed flashes of Miami’s improved line play on both sides of the ball, the true fruits of Cristobal’s recruiting will not be fully realized until the next few seasons.

As the program continues to attract top-tier talent, Miami is positioning itself for long-term success. The key now will be developing that talent into NFL-caliber players who can compete with the nation’s elite. If Cristobal can continue to recruit at a high level and develop his players properly, Miami should be able to return to national prominence sooner rather than later.

4. Defensive Growth: Strengthening the Foundation

Miami’s defense in 2024 was one of the few areas where the program demonstrated considerable improvement. The Hurricanes’ defensive line was more disruptive, their secondary showed signs of growth, and the overall scheme under defensive coordinator Lance Guidry appeared to be effective, particularly in shutting down less potent offenses.

While Miami still has issues to address in the secondary—particularly against more dynamic passing attacks—the defense was solid enough to keep the team competitive in most games. The defensive line, anchored by a few future NFL prospects, was often the strength of the team, pressuring quarterbacks and stopping the run with more consistency than in years past.

As Cristobal continues to build depth across the defense, Miami’s unit could become one of the best in the ACC within the next few years. The key will be sustaining the development of the defensive line and finding ways to shore up coverage in the secondary. With continued progress on that side of the ball, Miami will have a strong foundation to build on for future seasons.

5. Coaching Staff Stability: Cristobal’s Leadership

One of the most important takeaways from the 2024 season was Mario Cristobal’s ability to maintain stability and leadership within the program. After a rough first season in 2022, Cristobal made significant adjustments in terms of his coaching staff, hiring experienced coordinators like Shannon Dawson on offense and Lance Guidry on defense.

Cristobal’s experience as a former national champion player and successful head coach at Oregon has helped stabilize a program that had suffered from turnover and inconsistent leadership in recent years. His understanding of what it takes to build a championship-level team is now starting to come into focus.

While Cristobal’s philosophy may take time to fully manifest on the field, there is a noticeable shift in Miami’s culture under his leadership. The team is more disciplined, better conditioned, and shows a level of commitment that was previously absent. As Cristobal continues to shape the program in his vision, the long-term trajectory appears positive.

6. Special Teams and Overall Discipline: Areas for Growth

While Miami made strides in many areas, special teams remained a relative weak point in 2024. The Hurricanes’ kicking game was inconsistent, and there were several costly mistakes in the return game. These mistakes, along with some undisciplined penalties at inopportune times, were often the difference in close games.

Miami cannot afford to overlook these areas in 2025 and beyond. Special teams can be the margin between wins and losses in tight games, and a disciplined team avoids penalties that kill momentum. If Cristobal’s team is going to challenge for the ACC title and beyond, they must clean up these details.

7. The ACC: Competitive Landscape and Miami’s Place in It

The 2024 season also illuminated the reality of the ACC as a whole. Miami is in a loaded conference, with teams like Florida State, Clemson, and North Carolina all competing at a high level. While Miami showed it could play with these teams, it is clear that the Hurricanes still need to take that next step in terms of talent and execution.

In particular, Florida State’s resurgence under Mike Norvell has placed additional pressure on Miami to keep pace. The Seminoles look like they are on the rise, and it will take Miami several years to close the gap. Clemson, too, remains a juggernaut in the conference despite some struggles in 2024.

For Miami to not just compete but eventually dominate the ACC, they’ll need to recruit at an even higher level and consistently beat the teams that are currently ahead of them in the standings. The landscape is competitive, but it’s not insurmountable.

8. Looking Ahead: A Bright Future or Another False Dawn?

So, was the 2024 season a success for the Miami Hurricanes? In many ways, yes. It was a season that saw positive steps, particularly in terms of team development and recruiting. There were clear signs that Miami is beginning to return to its former glory, and Cristobal’s leadership is helping steer the program in the right direction.

However, there is still much work to do. Miami needs better quarterback play, more consistent special teams, and the ability to execute in high-pressure situations. The ACC is a competitive conference, and the Hurricanes are not yet at the top of the pecking order.

The biggest question for the future is whether Cristobal can maintain the momentum and continue building a team capable of challenging for national championships. If he can recruit elite talent, develop it effectively, and maintain discipline, Miami could very well be a perennial contender once again.

In conclusion, Miami’s 2024 season was a success in terms of progress, but the true test will be whether this success is sustainable and whether the Hurricanes can rise to the level of national championship contention in the years to come. The future is promising, but Miami must continue to develop its players, clean up its execution, and eventually deliver in the big games.