Coach Russell played at Tacoma Baptist (1995-1997), yielding a 3 time all league performer in the SeaTac league leading in rebounding and blocks all three years Tacoma Baptist also made the state tournament in those years finishing in 8th, 8th & 5th place. In college, Russell played for Coach Dan Hays at Oklahoma Christian for 3 years, reaching the NAIA National Tournament from the Sooner Athletic Conference in 1999. For his junior year, Russell transferred to Cascade College playing for Coach Craig Moody in Portland, OR, where they made the NAIA tournament in his senior year. In this year playing along current COS Eagle coach, Kyle Heath.

 

Coaching Career

Russell began his first coaching job immediately after Cascade, assisting with Head Coach Matt Greenleaf and co-assistant Kyle Heath. Russell joined the high school ranks assistant coaching for 3 years in the Metro League in Portland at Aloha High School making the state tournament in his final year. After Aloha, Russell accepted an assistant job at Simpson University in Redding, CA, coaching with Coach Matt Thacker for two years and Coach Jim Holcomb for four years. Simpson made the final of the Conference Tournament twice in those year, qualifying for the NCCAA tournament in one of those years. Russell also was the Head JV coach at Simpson, giving him ample experience coaching against many CCCAA schools every year. Following Simpson, Russell accepted an position on Coach Heath's staff in

2018. Russell enjoys playing music for live crowds, finding quiet river and lake spots and watching Seattle sports teams.