Inside the Headset Presented by CoachComm
Justin Fuente, Senior Advisor for Football – College Football Playoff
October 22, 2026
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we’re joined by Justin Fuente, Senior Advisor for Football with the College Football Playoff. Coach Fuente discusses the experiences that shaped his coaching career, the lessons learned from leading college football programs, and the importance of player development and building a championship culture.
Fuente joined the College Football Playoff in September 2025 after spending 21 years coaching at the collegiate level. He served as the head coach at Memphis from 2012–15, leading the Tigers to the 2014 American Athletic Conference championship and earning conference Coach of the Year honors. He later took over at Virginia Tech, where he served as head coach from 2016–21 and was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2016.
Before becoming a head coach, Fuente spent 11 seasons in offensive coaching roles at Illinois State and TCU. His football journey began as a quarterback at Oklahoma and Murray State before playing professionally in the Arena Football League.
Now serving as the CFP’s Senior Advisor for Football, Fuente provides guidance on game operations, officiating, technology, and playoff policies while working with conference offices and other college football stakeholders.
In this episode, Coach Fuente reflects on the opportunities and challenges that shaped his career, shares his approach to developing players, and discusses what it takes to establish a successful program and sustain a championship culture.
Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for new episodes every Thursday.
Listen and subscribe: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Justin Fuente, Senior Advisor for Football – College Football Playoff
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we’re joined by Justin Fuente, Senior Advisor for Football with the College Football Playoff. Coach Fuente discusses the experiences that shaped his coaching career, the lessons learned from leading college football programs, and the importance of player development and building a championship culture.
Fuente joined the College Football Playoff in September 2025 after spending 21 years coaching at the collegiate level. He served as the head coach at Memphis from 2012–15, leading the Tigers to the 2014 American Athletic Conference championship and earning conference Coach of the Year honors. He later took over at Virginia Tech, where he served as head coach from 2016–21 and was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2016.
Before becoming a head coach, Fuente spent 11 seasons in offensive coaching roles at Illinois State and TCU. His football journey began as a quarterback at Oklahoma and Murray State before playing professionally in the Arena Football League.
Now serving as the CFP’s Senior Advisor for Football, Fuente provides guidance on game operations, officiating, technology, and playoff policies while working with conference offices and other college football stakeholders.
In this episode, Coach Fuente reflects on the opportunities and challenges that shaped his career, shares his approach to developing players, and discusses what it takes to establish a successful program and sustain a championship culture.
Be sure to follow Inside the Headset on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to our YouTube channel for new episodes every Thursday.
Listen and subscribe: https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
