Chryst hired as Pittsburgh Head Coach; Cristobal staying

Cristobal got a contract extension last year with a raise that was supposed to keep him at FIU until 2016. Pittsburgh was going to buy out the contract. Now that Cristobal is no longer in contention for the job,  there is a possibility that Executive Director for Sports and Entertainment Pete Garcia will offer him yet another extension.

According to the Miami Herald, Cristobal was in negotiations with FIU all day Wednesday for an extension that would also include improvements throughout the program.

He currently makes $453,183 a year, and received $50,000 when he signed a day before training camp last year. Cristobal was mum on the situation leading up to and directly after the bowl game.

“It’s not my policy to talk about anything that’s going on outside of the program,” said Cristobal after the press conference.

If Cristobal stays put, FIU will be returning 19 of 22 starters from this years team, and bring back 16th best defense in the nation in points allowed. The losses of starting quarterback Wesley Carroll and leading wide receiver T.Y. Hilton on offense will be tough to replace, but redshirt freshmen Jake Medlock and  second in receptions this year junior Wayne Times might fill the void.

Also, transfer from Ohio State James Louis will be eligible to play next year along with West Virginia transfer Daquan Hargrett. Senior defensive back Chuck Grace will be allowed to return via medical redshirt after injuring his knee in the third game of the season.