From Cuba to the Championship: The Journey of a Football Coach

The Beginning: A Family's Struggle

Mario Campos: Fleeing Cuba after imprisonment by Fidel Castro's regime.
Florida: Starting over with no English skills, facing discrimination.
Success: Taught himself English, worked hard, founded a construction company.
Luis Cristobal: Also imprisoned and tortured in Cuba before fleeing to Florida.
Car Battery Business: Started and worked tirelessly to provide for his family.
Values: Instilled strong values in his sons, Mario and Lou, emphasizing hard work and respect.

Academics and Sports: Excelled in both, following in his brother's footsteps.
University of Miami: Played football, stood out for discipline and work ethic.
Coaching Career: Transitioned into coaching, working through various assistant roles.

Florida International University (FIU): Hired as head coach, turned around a struggling program.
Back-to-Back Bowl Games: Achieved despite initial struggles.
Alabama: Took a job as an assistant to rebuild his career after being fired from FIU.
University of Oregon (2018): Became head coach, led the team to two Pac-12 titles and a Rose Bowl appearance.
Return to Miami: The pull of home brought him back to coach his alma mater.

Remarkable Comeback: Despite skepticism, rebuilt the program focusing on recruiting and smart transfers.
Relentless Work Ethic: Success not overnight, but vision and hard work paid off.

Family's Resilience: Mario's journey is a testament to his family's resilience and values.
Honoring the Past: From his grandfather's escape to his parents' hard work, Mario carries forward a legacy of determination and perseverance.
Creating a New Future: Leading the University of Miami to the national championship, honoring his family's past while building a new future.