Justin Bennett was hired by the University of West Florida’s Athletics Development staff in the summer of 2022, after a brief stint in sales. Bennett manages the Argonaut Athletic Club, athletic phonathons, donor relations, and the Varsity Club. Bennett, a four-year letter winner at West Florida and 2011 NCAA Division II National Champion, spent three years in the UWF athletic department working with facilities and game operations. He previously served as an assistant coach with the baseball program from 2013-2020.
Bennett was promoted to a full-time assistant coaching position after spending two years as a graduate assistant. As a graduate assistant, Bennett focused on the development of corner infielders and outfielders, including outfielder Ledarious Clark, who was drafted in the 12th round by the Texas Rangers and is UWF's highest-ever MLB draft pick.
Bennett played under current UWF head coach Mike Jeffcoat from 2009-2012, serving as a utility infielder for the Argos. Bennett started his collegiate playing career off on a strong note, hitting .320 as a freshman in 2009, before following that performance with a .311 batting average during UWF's national championship run as a junior in 2011.
As a highly touted high school player in the Greater-Atlanta area, Bennett played three varsity seasons under Mike Power at Roswell High School. Bennett was an All-County and All-Region second baseman in 2007, hitting .387, and an All-County and All-Region shortstop in 2008 with a .367 batting average. Bennett was a player for the prestigious East Cobb baseball program in his summers as a high school student-athlete.
Bennett earned his master's degree in administration in 2016 and a bachelor's degree in sports management in 2012. Bennett is married to former UWF soccer player and 2012 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Champion Tori Fish. They have one son, Timothy James.
