UMass has named Max Warner as their new offensive coordinator. Warner arrives in Amherst after a highly successful stint at Bowling Green, where he spent the last several seasons as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Falcons.
Warner’s coaching resume has been built on quarterback development and innovative play-calling. During his tenure at Bowling Green under head coach Scot Loeffler, Warner was instrumental in transforming the Falcons’ offensive identity. He most notably helped mold Harold Fannin Jr. into one of the most dominant tight ends in the nation, proving his ability to adapt schemes to highlight specific personnel strengths. His experience within the MAC is expected to be an invaluable asset for UMass as the program seeks to find its footing against familiar regional rivals.
The path to UMass for Warner includes several coaching stops that have shaped his versatile offensive philosophy. Before his time in the MAC, he served as a head coach at Bloomingdale High School in Florida, where he led a rapid program turnaround, and held quality control and assistant roles at Virginia Tech and various collegiate levels. This broad background has given Warner a unique perspective on managing different talent and building his system from the ground up, a skill set that aligns perfectly with the current rebuilding phase of UMass football.
Warner’s immediate priority will be stabilizing the quarterback position and addressing a scoring offense that finished near the bottom of the FBS rankings in 2025. With several key players from last year’s roster entering the transfer portal, Warner is expected to be aggressive in recruiting and utilizing the portal to find a signal-caller capable of executing his vision.
Warner’s hiring is vitally important for this program moving forward. If Harasymiak and his staff are going to get this program on track, Warner will play a big role.
As the Minutemen prepare for the 2026 season, the addition of Warner is being viewed as a key hire. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his “quarterback-friendly” approach will translate to a UMass roster that lacks talent and needs to upgraded.
If Warner’s track record of player development and conference familiarity holds true, the Minutemen will be on the road to improvement.