CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)- Coming off one of the program’s most successful seasons in history, Virginia football’s Chief of Staff and Assistant General Manager Justin Speros has been promoted to General Manager, the school announced.

Cory Martin moves into the Assistant General Manager role, as well serving as the team’s director of player personnel. 

This will be Speros’s fifth season with the program.

He has been part of coach Tony Elliott’s staff since Elliott took over in 2022. Their relationship dates back to 2017 when Speros worked as an undergrad assistant to Elliott, then the offensive coordinator at Clemson.   

“Justin has been involved in every aspect of our player evaluation and acquisition process since we’ve been here and knows our organization inside and out,” Elliott said in a statement released by the school. “He’s been an integral part of our roster building process from the beginning.  

He served as director scouting for Elliott in 2022 after coming from South Florida serving in the same role.  Speros was named director of recruiting going into the fall of 2022, taking on more responsibility until he was named Assistant General Manager going into the 2025 season. 

The roster Speros helped build earned a program-record 11 wins last season, including over the Missouri Tigers in the Gator Bowl. In a statement, Speros thanked Elliott and athletic director Carla Williams.

“Their collective vision and leadership have transformed the landscape of Virginia football, and I am excited to contribute to its continued success while supporting our student-athletes, coaches and staff.” Speros said ,“Charlottesville has truly become home for me and my wife, Kaycie, and it is simply a tremendous honor to represent the V-Sabre. The University of Virginia will continue to get my all.”  

The Cavaliers will open their season on the 29th of August, 2026, against North Carolina State.  The game was recently moved back to Scott Stadium after it was originally scheduled to be played at Estadio Nilton Santos in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.