The College Football Playoff (CFP) just added a big name to its team: Justin Fuente, now Senior Advisor for Football. Fuente’s got over twenty years of college coaching under his belt, so you can bet he brings a lot to the table.
He’s stepping into a role where he’ll offer key advice on operations, consult with football organizations, and help shape playoff policies. If you’re curious about Fuente’s background or what this means for the CFP, let’s break it down.
Justin Fuente’s Coaching Legacy
Fuente’s new CFP role is just the latest move in a long coaching journey. Back in high school, he was a star quarterback at Union High in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He started at the University of Oklahoma and later transferred to Murray State to finish his college playing days. After graduating, Fuente even played a couple seasons with the Oklahoma Wranglers in the Arena Football League around 2000 and 2001. Not exactly a household name, but still—pretty cool.
Coaching Career Highlights
Fuente’s coaching path is packed with milestones. He spent eleven years as an offensive assistant at Illinois State and TCU.
In 2012, he landed his first head coaching gig at the University of Memphis. There, he led the Tigers to an American Conference championship in 2014 and snagged Coach of the Year honors.
After Memphis, Fuente took over at Virginia Tech in 2016. He was named ACC Coach of the Year right out of the gate and stayed there until 2021.
- Illinois State: Offensive Assistant Coach (2001-06)
- TCU: Offensive Assistant Coach (2007-11)
- University of Memphis: Head Coach (2012-15)
- Virginia Tech: Head Coach (2016-21)
New Role at the College Football Playoff
So, what will Fuente actually be doing at the CFP? As Senior Advisor for Football, he’s got a hand in almost everything that matters on game day and behind the scenes.
He’ll give guidance on operations, work with FBS conference offices, the NCAA, and even the National Coordinator of Football Officiating. Fuente will also help the CFP staff roll out policies and best practices—think game operations, technology, and all those nitty-gritty details that keep things running.
Responsibilities and Impact
Fuente’s role covers a lot. Here’s a quick look at what he’ll be tackling:
- Consulting with FBS conference offices: He’ll offer advice to keep everyone on the same page.
- Working with the NCAA: Fuente will help figure out the tricky stuff around operations and policy.
- Advising on officiating and medical policies: He’ll be talking with the folks in charge of officiating and safety to make sure things are up to par.
- Implementing playoff policies: Fuente will help put together the rules and practices that shape the CFP.
The Future of the College Football Playoff
The CFP is the big stage for college football, deciding the national champ every year. The selection committee ranks the top 25 teams at season’s end, then slots the five highest-ranked conference champs and the next seven best teams into a 12-team bracket.
Top four get a first-round bye. Teams ranked 5-12 battle it out in the First Round. The Playoff Quarterfinals and Semifinals rotate among six classic bowl games, all leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Significance of Fuente’s Appointment
Fuente joining the CFP feels like a breath of fresh air. With his years of coaching and deep football roots, he’s bound to shake things up in the best way.
Rich Clark, the CFP’s Executive Director, couldn’t hide his excitement—he called Fuente both respected and knowledgeable. Fuente, for his part, seems genuinely pumped to dive in, mentioning his lifelong love for the game. Hard to blame him, right?
Conclusion
Justin Fuente is stepping in as the Senior Advisor for Football at the College Football Playoff. That’s a pretty strategic move, honestly, and it could really boost the event’s quality and integrity.
He’s got a long coaching history and just seems to know the game inside and out. With all that experience, Fuente’s set up to make a real impact at the CFP.
If you’re curious about the details, the official announcement is up on the College Football Playoff website.
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