Cristobal: 'Best recruiting class' kept him at FIU

MIAMI (AP) -- Florida International is planning to sign a strong recruiting class Wednesday, one of the many reasons why Mario Cristobal is staying on the Panthers' sideline.

Cristobal tells The Associated Press he believes the class of newcomers will be the school's best yet. He was a top candidate for the opening at Rutgers, but never accepted the job and spent Monday telling recruits he was staying.

Cristobal has taken once-moribund FIU to consecutive bowl games, and often speaks of how appreciative he is for the chance to coach in his hometown of Miami. The school rewarded him with a four-year contract extension last year.

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