Michael Irvin’s passion for the Miami Hurricanes spilled over in unforgettable fashion Saturday night. And even the head coach needed a moment to recover.
Moments after Miami’s 10-3 upset of the Texas A&M Aggies in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Irvin interrupted Mario Cristobal’s on-field interview with ESPN and planted a kiss on the coach’s cheek.
Cristobal laughed at the time, but later summed up the moment. “That...was disgusting," he said.
The Hall of Fame wide receiver and one of the most visible alumni in college football, was on the sideline throughout the game, pacing, celebrating and urging on a Miami defense that limited Texas A&M to three points at Kyle Field. When the final whistle blew, Irvin’s energy reached its peak.
Michael Irvin interview cameo 😂 pic.twitter.com/yGoacUPLZX
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 20, 2025
“I couldn’t find enough wipeys to clean myself,” Cristobal joked afterward, still smiling as he addressed Irvin’s antics.
The Hurricanes’ victory marked the program’s first College Football Playoff win and its first victory over a top-10 opponent away from home or at a neutral site since 2005. It also reinforced the connection between Miami’s current roster and its storied past.
“That guy means so much to the program, to its fan base, to our community,” Cristobal said. “The pride is returning to so many former players.”
Irvin’s enthusiasm isn’t going anywhere. Miami will face the Ohio State Buckeyes on New Year’s Eve in the Cotton Bowl.
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