EUSTIS, Fla. — Former professional football player and Eustis High School graduate Joe Burnett has been named the 2025 Athletic Director for the Eustis Junior Panthers Youth Football program, the organization announced.

Burnett, who was previously named head coach of the Eustis High School football team in 2024 but stepped down before the season due to personal reasons, will now take on the role of overseeing all athletic training for the Junior Panthers. His responsibilities will include developing competitive fitness programs, drills, skills training, and providing young athletes with a strong foundation in football knowledge.

(Burnett had an amazing career at Eustis High School along with the CFL where he was a star for many years.)

“Joe Burnett has personally demonstrated the passion, relentless commitment, and competitiveness that it takes at every level of playing this game,” said Jonnie Saunders, a representative of the Junior Panthers program. “His inspiration and direct presence working with our younger athletes is a definite win for our entire community.”

Burnett, 38, had a distinguished football career that began at Eustis High School where he was a standout and earned an opportunity to play at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he starred as a defensive back and return specialist. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and also spent time with the New York Giants before finding his greatest success in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

(Coach Saunders has been very dedicated to teaching these young kids how to play the sport of football. His coaching has helped many individuals thrive at the high school level.)

In the CFL, Burnett played for the Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, and finished his career with the Montreal Alouettes in 2018. He was named a CFL All-Star in 2012 and holds the Edmonton Eskimos’ franchise record for the longest interception return with a 108-yard touchdown.

Now transitioning into a leadership role at the youth level, Burnett looks to bring his wealth of experience to the next generation of football players in Eustis.

The Eustis Junior Panthers Youth Football program is designed to provide young athletes with structured training and competitive opportunities, setting a foundation for future success at the high school level and beyond. With Burnett at the helm, the program aims to elevate its impact on youth sports in the region. This has been an amazing feeder program for Eustis High School. In the past, many athletes who were part of Junior Panthers contributed to Eustis High’s success including back to back district championships in 2022 and 2023. No doubt with Burnett now helping in this role, this will benefit not only these youth players but local high schools in our area in the years to come.