Miami Hurricanes face criticism over spending as they gear up with high hopes to win the ACC title in 2025.

As the 2025 college football season approaches, few programs are under a brighter spotlight—or facing more scrutiny—than the Miami Hurricanes. With one of the most aggressive financial investments in the sport over the past three years, the Hurricanes have positioned themselves as a win-now team, bolstering their staff, upgrading facilities, and dominating the NIL era. But as the program pushes forward with ACC title aspirations, the criticism surrounding their spending has grown louder.

The program’s stated goal is clear: win the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time since joining in 2004 and earn a berth in the expanded College Football Playoff. But for many outside observers, questions remain: Is Miami spending wisely? Is the investment sustainable? And most critically—will it lead to championships?

Since Mario Cristobal was hired in late 2021, Miami’s financial commitment to football has surged. The school lured Cristobal away from Oregon with a 10-year, $80 million contract and then began a top-down transformation of its athletic infrastructure.

Among the investments:

• A reported $100 million renovation of football facilities, including the Soffer Indoor Practice Facility.
• Top-10 assistant coaching salaries, with former NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor among the highest-paid position coaches in the country.
• Aggressive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships through collectives like LifeWallet, helping Miami land and retain elite talent.
• Increased recruiting budgets, allowing for coast-to-coast evaluations and multiple satellite camps.

The result? The Hurricanes have stacked two consecutive top-10 recruiting classes, added dozens of blue-chip transfers, and built what many consider the most talented roster in the ACC heading into 2025.

But not everyone is impressed.

Detractors argue that Miami is attempting to “buy success” without proving it can translate financial firepower into on-field results. Despite the glitzy additions and star-studded staff, the Canes finished just 9-4 in 2024, falling short of ACC Championship Game qualification and losing to Florida State for the fourth straight year.

“There’s no denying Miami’s commitment to spending,” said ACC analyst John McClellan. “But there’s also no denying that it hasn’t delivered anything substantial yet. You can have all the facilities in the world, but at some point, it has to show up in the win column.”

Miami’s perceived “arms race” approach has drawn criticism from rival fan bases, national media, and even anonymous ACC coaches. Some have called it “reckless,” others “performative.”

A recent anonymous quote in an offseason scouting report from Athlon Sports captured the mood:

“They’ve built a monster on paper, but culture takes time. You can’t just write checks and expect trophies. That’s not how football works—especially in the South.”

Within Coral Gables, the perspective is different.

The Hurricanes’ staff and administration point to the rapid growth of the program’s infrastructure, recruiting, and professionalism. They acknowledge that results haven’t reached the highest level yet—but argue that 2025 will be the year it all clicks.

“This isn’t some quick-fix operation,” said Cristobal during spring practices. “We’re building this the right way. Development, competition, accountability—those don’t show up overnight, but they matter. And now we have the talent and continuity to match the vision.”

Miami returns a loaded roster in 2025, led by sophomore quarterback Judd Anderson, All-American safety Kam Kinchens, and a deep offensive line anchored by Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. The Hurricanes also added several top-tier transfers, including five-star cornerback Zion Lewis and Oregon State standout linebacker Malik Baxter.

Strength coach Aaron Feld, known for his intensity and “fill the sleeves” mantra, called the current group “the most physically and mentally prepared” he’s coached in Miami.

“We’ve trimmed the fat—literally and figuratively,” Feld said. “The kids here want it. They’re putting in the work. The outside noise? We don’t hear it.”

No conversation about Miami’s spending would be complete without mentioning Name, Image, and Likeness, where the program has become both a pioneer and a target.

Led by businessman John Ruiz and his company LifeWallet, Miami emerged early as a top NIL destination, famously signing deals with top players like quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, hooper Haley Cavinder, and linemen across multiple classes. The NCAA has since opened inquiries into several NIL arrangements at Miami, though no major penalties have been handed down.

Ruiz, whose public profile has drawn both admiration and ire, insists the criticism stems more from envy than ethics.

“We’re doing what the rules allow,” Ruiz said in a recent interview. “We’re empowering athletes, creating opportunities, and helping Miami compete at the highest level. The ones complaining just haven’t caught up.”

Still, the aggressive NIL push has made Miami a lightning rod in college football’s larger culture war over amateurism and professionalism. Traditionalists argue the Canes are blurring the lines too far, while others see them as trailblazers.

Regardless, Miami’s NIL influence isn’t going away anytime soon—and it continues to be a decisive recruiting advantage.

Cristobal and his staff know that the time for building is over—the time for winning has arrived.

The Canes enter 2025 with no more excuses. The ACC no longer features divisions, the Playoff has expanded to 12 teams, and Miami’s roster is the deepest it has been in decades.

The regular-season schedule includes home games against Florida State, Louisville, and North Carolina, plus high-profile non-conference tilts with Texas A&M and Boise State. The expectation, both internally and from the fan base, is at minimum 10 wins and a Playoff berth.

“It’s time,” said Kinchens during summer workouts. “We’ve been through the growing pains. We’ve had the rebuild. Now we’ve got to finish the job.”

A trip to Charlotte for the ACC title game would quiet many of the critics. A Playoff appearance would validate the investment. Anything less, and the questions—and the criticism—will only grow louder.

One concern voiced by outsiders is whether Miami’s current model is financially sustainable. Can the boosters, collectives, and business partners continue to pump resources into the program at this level year after year?

Insiders say yes—though they acknowledge that continued fan support and on-field success are vital to maintaining momentum. Athletic director Dan Radakovich has been instrumental in crafting the school’s business strategy, and there are already plans for additional facility enhancements, apparel branding, and corporate partnerships.

“We’re not just spending. We’re investing,” Radakovich said earlier this year. “And like any investment, it’s tied to performance. We believe the return is coming.”

The Miami Hurricanes are no strangers to controversy. In the 1980s, they were hated for swagger. In the early 2000s, they were feared for dominance. In 2025, they are being criticized for ambition.

But underneath the noise, one truth remains: This program expects to win again. Soon.

The money, the staff, the players—it’s all aligned for a breakthrough season. Now, Miami must prove it on the field. Because if they don’t, all the criticism, all the doubts, and all the pointed fingers will only intensify.

As Coach Cristobal put it:

“We’re not here to win press conferences. We’re here to win titles.”

In 2025, Miami will have its chance to do just that. And the whole college football world will be watching.