Justin Fuented joined the College Football Playoff staff in September 2025 as its Senior Advisor for Football. Fuente came to the CFP after a 21-year coaching career at the collegiate level, serving most recently as the head coach at Virginia Tech from 2016-21 and University of Memphis from 2012-15. His 2014 Memphis Tigers captured the American Conference championship, and Fuente garnered conference coach of the year honors in both 2014 (American) and 2016 (Atlantic Coast Conference).
In this newly-created role at the CFP, Fuente is responsible for providing guidance on designated operational matters that enhance the overall quality of the CFP, including consulting with the FBS conference offices, NCAA, NCAA National Coordinator of Football Officiating and the CFP's Chief Medical Officer. He also works with the CFP staff on the implementation of playoff policies and best practices related to game operations, officiating, technology and other policy considerations.
Prior to joining his head coaching stops at Virginia Tech and Memphis, Fuente spent 11 seasons in a variety of offensive assistant coaching roles at Illinois State (2001-06) and TCU (2007-11). A standout high school quarterback at Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Fuente attended the University of Oklahoma before transferring to Murray State University. After graduation, he played for the Oklahoma Wranglers of the Arena Football League in 2000 and 2001 before transitioning into coaching.
