Update on Mario Cristobal's contract extension

Shortly after FIU's first-ever bowl win, we had this story on Mario Cristobal's contract, which expires after the 2011 season.

The Golden Panthers clearly want to keep Cristobal around, and athletic director Pete Garcia said inking the coach to an extension was one of the department's top offseason priorities.

But a month has passed, and yet no deal, so many of you have been curious about if this has changed. The answer, in short, is no.

A deal getting done is still as likely as it was then. With the crazy recruiting weeks heading into Signing Day now behind them, contract negotiations are going to be a major focus in the coming weeks, The Miami Herald has learned.

While FIU will now turn its focus to 2012 recruiting and strength (and schematic) preparation for the coming season, this is as close to down time as there in the sport, so it's the logical time for such negotiations to occur.

My guess: It will be done by the start of Spring Practice on March 3. But of course, I've been wrong before.

Comments

[FIUFan]

Thanks for the update, I'm sure that these are complex negotiations and, after all, we're still a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to this stuff.

[Frank Pena]

It better be done! Coach Cristobal has done an incredible job. He will take us to the promise land.

[oc fiu panther]

I know he's already the top paid coach in the SunBelt but I hope we find a way to pay him Conference USA top money.

[Panther2001]

As I mentioned in a previous blog, this should be priority number 1 for FIU.

Thanks Justin and Adam. Keep us informed, and don't worry about the negative comments from others.

Thanks for bringing this topic to light. The FIU blog will never dare discuss this situation.

[JP1990FIU]

Thanks for the info Adam and Justin. Keep up the good work. Also, does anyone know when does basketball signing period begin again? It seems that FIU BB did not sign anyone during the early signing period. Just curious.

[Mike Leach]

I'll sign a contract with FIU if they dont get a deal done with Cristobal. Im bored in Key West.

[diago]

I wouldn't beat my breast over MC. This is,after all, the same guy who assured us that the competition between Wesley Carroll & Jacob Younger was too close to call, and who may have cost us the Rutgers game by replacing Carroll with Younger when that game was still in question. MC got the pants coached off him at FAU & couldn't get his team up for a final game in the regular season that would have won the SB outright & sent us to NO. Thank god we were able to extend the contract of the real reason that FIU had a winning season, TY Hilton. Here's two possibilities for next year, assuming MC is back. MC picks up a couple of non-conference wins, holds the SB losses to two, and proves he really can coach. Or, he goes 5-7 and we are stuck in mediocrity for another miserable stretch.