Miami welcomes former Denver Broncos' QC coach Favian Upshaw as its newest RB coach

The Miami Hurricanes are adding NFL expertise in their running backs room with the arrival of Denver Broncos offensive quality control coach Favian Upshaw. After spending two seasons in Denver and bringing nearly a decade of coaching experience overall, Upshaw will join Miami’s staff as the running backs coach for the 2026 season.

Upshaw played college football as a quarterback with the FIU Panthers and the Georgia Southern Eagles. After the departure of former running backs coach Matt Merritt to the Arizona Cardinals, Upshaw is expected to play an important role in elevating Miami’s ground game, developing its young backs, and integrating pro-level concepts into the Hurricanes’ offensive identity.

Upshaw brings a proven history of RB development

Upshaw arrives in Coral Gables with a clear track record of helping develop NFL-caliber backs. In his first two seasons with the Denver Broncos, he worked closely with undrafted running back Jaleel McLaughlin, who totaled 906 rushing yards on 189 carries (4.8 yards per attempt) and 55 receptions for 236 yards over his first two years in the league. Among Broncos undrafted running backs through two seasons, McLaughlin ranks near the top of the franchise record book in receptions, rushing yards and total scrimmage yards. That development background fits with what Mario Cristobal has prioritized during Miami’s recent rise into the College Football Playoff picture.

Coaching background prior to Miami & Denver

Before Denver, Upshaw built his resume on the college sideline. The former dual-threat quarterback started his coaching career back home in Titusville, Florida, as co-offensive coordinator at Astronaut High School, then moved into the college ranks as a graduate assistant at Tulane University in 2018–19. He coached quarterbacks at Savannah State in 2020, returned to his alma mater, Georgia Southern Eagles, as running backs coach in 2021, and spent 2022 as an offensive analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach at Tulane before getting his NFL shot with the Broncos.

On the field, Upshaw was best known at Georgia Southern for his versatility and explosiveness in a run-heavy pistol and option attack. He accounted for more than 2,400 yards of total offense in his college career and was named MVP of the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl after rushing for 199 yards and four touchdowns in the program’s first bowl win at the FBS level. That background in option concepts and quarterback-run mechanics could give Miami another layer of flexibility in how it deploys its backs and quarterbacks in short-yardage and red-zone situations.

What Miami should expect

Miami should expect Favian Upshaw to bring a blend of NFL-level detail, player-development expertise, and a modern run-game perspective shaped by both college and pro systems.

From a schematic standpoint, Upshaw is expected to help expand the Hurricanes’ use of gap-scheme and option-influenced concepts, drawing from his experience in Denver and his playing days with option-heavy offenses at the Georgia Southern Eagles.

Recruiting-wise, Upshaw’s Florida roots - growing up in Titusville and playing locally at FIU - position him well to connect with prospects and families in key in-state areas. His NFL coaching stamp naturally adds credibility in living rooms and helps Miami pitch professional development more convincingly.

Lastly, Upshaw’s work with the Denver Broncos emphasized precision in footwork, vision training, and situational decision-making—areas where Miami’s backfield can continue to grow. His background in helping elevate undrafted and late-round NFL backs suggests he has a strong eye for maximizing talent, something that will be valuable with Miami’s mix of veterans and younger contributors.