Six Hours ago, it appeared that Tim Pernetti's four day coaching search was about to end as well as it possibly could have, with Florida International coach Mario Cristobal coming to New Jersey. The story was first reported by Keith Sargeant and confirmed by Tom Lucci, but the deal fell apart during negotiations, and it appears that Kyle Flood will succeed Greg Schiano.
Reasons why Cristobal turned down this job are hopefully a matter of outside circumstances, and not a reflection of his thought's on the state of Rutgers' football program. Did Pernetti force him to retain assistant coaches? Did his wife want to stay in Florida? Does he think he could get a better job if he waits another year? Could he, like Greg Schiano, not take another college job because he couldn't abandon his players and leave home? Who knows.
Cristobal's reputation will almost certainly sour amongst Athletic Directors around the nation after backing out of consideration for this job and the Pitt job as well. If he wants to stay in Florida, it looks like he'll be at FIU for a while. Jimbo Fisher has Florida State headed for a bright future, Al Golden just received a contract extension through 2020, and Will Muschamp will probably get at least 3 or 4 more years at Florida. Would he even be interested in South Florida if Skip Holtz is run out of town? With USF likely stuck in the watered down Big East it doesn't seem likely.
I'm absolutely baffled that he backed out of the deal. I was so excited to have him aboard, he seemed like a great fit. You can say he is a Schiano clone. This day has some ho managed to be more shocking and bizarre than Thursday. But Rutgers should be alright under Kyle Flood.
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