Despite the Miami Hurricanes falling short of a national championship, losing to Indiana, it was still a successful season. And with success comes attrition — not only with key players but coaches as well.
The Hurricanes lost running backs coach Matt Merritt to the Arizona Cardinals and tight ends coach Cody Woodiel to Ole Miss. Since then, Denver Broncos offensive quality control assistant Favian Upshaw has been hired to coach running backs, and now Miami has found its next tight ends coach in Army’s Mike Viti.
“Miami is set to hire Army’s Mike Viti as the school’s new tight ends coach. Viti is the associate head coach and offensive line coach at Army, where he’s been on the staff for 10 years. He’s a former star running back at Army and a staff linchpin there for a decade,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.
Viti’s hire is getting nothing but rave reviews.
Mike Viti’s Military Background Fits Mario Cristobal’s Miami Culture
Viti, who was a team captain at Army before serving in the military, fits the tough, disciplined style that head coach Mario Cristobal has been instilling at Miami since arriving in 2022.
A West Point graduate, Viti served as a platoon leader in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He earned a Bronze Star and a Combat Action Badge before retiring from military service, according to Inside The U’s Gaby Urrutia.
“The hire at Miami is viewed as a strong cultural one, as Viti was one of the most respected members of Army’s staff,” Thamel added.
On3’s J.D. PicKell echoed that sentiment, writing, “Sneaky big for Miami.”
Beyond the cultural impact, Viti brings legitimate on-field production.
In 2024, he was part of an Army staff that developed one of the most dominant rushing attacks in the country. The Black Knights piled up over 4,200 rushing yards and 48 rushing touchdowns, powered by quarterback Bryson Daily’s 1,659 yards and 32 scores on the ground. That physical, run-heavy identity helped Army’s offensive line earn the prestigious Joe Moore Award, marking the first time a service academy or Group of Five program captured the honor.
Viti now joins a tight ends room that includes junior Elijah Lofton, second-year Luka Gilbert and freshmen Gavin Mueller and Israel Briggs.
Miami Hurricanes Continue Reload Under Mario Cristobal
Cristobal does not appear to be slowing down heading into the 2026 season.
There were concerns that losing key contributors and staff members might create a downturn. While Miami will ultimately have to prove itself on the field this fall, the offseason moves suggest the program intends to remain among the nation’s elite.
Beyond the coaching additions, Miami again attacked the transfer portal aggressively. The Hurricanes secured the No. 4-ranked transfer class with 12 commits, according to 247Sports rankings.
Headlining that group was Duke quarterback Darian Mensah, who was joined by Blue Devils wide receiver Cooper Barkate.
Other notable additions included Missouri edge rusher, South Carolina wide receiver Vandrevious Jacobs and Nebraska defensive lineman Keona Davis.
If anything, Miami looks more like a program reloading rather than rebuilding.
Miami Coaching Hire Called ‘Sneaky Big’ Cultural Fit