Mike Viti brings a decade of Army Black Knights experience to the Miami Hurricanes, tasked with developing a re-tooled, inexperienced tight ends unit.
The Miami Hurricanes officially announced the hiring of new running backs coach Favian Upshaw on Tuesday. However, there were still a couple of vacancies left on the staff: tight ends and cornerbacks coach. Regardless, Mario Cristobal is strategic when considering candidates.
It was reported on Tuesday that the Hurricanes are hiring Mike Viti as the new tight ends coach. He spent the last 10 seasons with the Army Black Knights as an assistant coach. Viti was promoted to Associate Head Coach / Offensive Line in the winter of 2025.
The 40-year-old was a star fullback for the Black Knights, carrying 91 times for 321 yards, scoring three touchdowns in 31 games over four seasons.
Viti will take control of a reshaped and inexperienced tight ends room.
Last season, the Hurricanes split snaps between Elija Lofton and Alex Bauman. They combined for 41 catches for 384 yards, scoring three total touchdowns. Both were utilized as route runners and playmakers, but didn't provide the blocking aspect of a tight end.
Lofton will return for next season, but not Bauman, as he's without extra NCAA eligibility.
It was reported in late Feb. that the Hurricanes are moving Cole McConathy II from edge rusher to tight end. The Alabama native is listed at 6-5, 250 pounds. He has the size and physicality to play the position, but needs to develop as a route runner and playmaker, without having any experience.
The rest of the tight end depth chart has little to no experience playing at the collegiate level. Plus, the Hurricanes have an incoming freshman in four-star Gavin Mueller.
Viti's experience as an offensive line coach should pay dividends in developing a blocking tight end, which was a missing component last season. He was one of the most respected members of the Black Knight's staff, which is expected to translate to the Hurricanes.
Last season, the Black Knights gave up just seven sacks in 13 total games, the least in the nation.
The Hurricanes retained offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, but the addition of Viti should strengthen the team's blocking, especially at tight end. This will be his first job outside of the Black Knights.
Coming off a National Championship, the program seeks to remain competitive after successfully setting a new standard. The Hurricanes revamped the roster with transfer portal additions, including All-ACC quarterback Darian Mensah. Also, they added a couple of new wide receivers in Cam Vaughn and Vandrevius Jacobs.
Regardless, tight ends still get a fair share of opportunities in offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson's system. If Lofton, McConathy II, Mueller, and the others manage to develop into strong blockers, it expands the Hurricanes' offensive capabilities.
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