Steve Russ

Last updated

Steve Russ
Air Force Falcons
Position:Special assistant to the Head Coach
Personal information
Born: (1972-09-16) September 16, 1972 (age 51)
Stetsonville, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Medford (WI)
College: Air Force
NFL draft: 1995  / Round: 7 / Pick: 218
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
  • Ohio (2001)
    Outside linebackers coach
  • Ohio (2002–2003)
    Inside linebackers coach
  • Ohio (2004)
    Special teams/inside linebackers coach
  • Syracuse (2005–2006)
    Linebackers coach
  • Syracuse (2007)
    Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach
  • Wake Forest (2008–2009)
    Tight ends coach
  • Wake Forest (2010)
    Linebackers coach
  • Wake Forest (2011)
    Defensive backs coach
  • Air Force (2012)
    Assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/defensive back coach
  • Air Force (2013)
    Assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach
  • Air Force (2014–2017)
    Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach
  • Carolina Panthers (20182019)
    Linebackers coach
  • Washington Football Team / Commanders (20202023)
    Linebackers coach
  • Air Force (2024-present)
    Special assistant to the head coach
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:24
Player stats at PFR

Steve Russ (born September 16, 1972) [1] is an American football coach and former professional linebacker who is currently a special assistant to the head coach for the Air Force Falcons football team. He played college football as a linebacker for Air Force before being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 1995 NFL draft. [2] He also played for the Los Angeles Xtreme in the original XFL and has been a coach since 2001.

Contents

Coaching career

Carolina Panthers

In January 2018, Russ was hired by the Carolina Panthers as their linebackers coach under head coach Ron Rivera. [3] Following the hiring of new head coach Matt Rhule in January 2020, Russ was not retained by the Panthers.

Washington Football Team / Commanders

In January 2020, Russ was hired again by Rivera to be the linebackers coach for the Washington Football Team, then known as the Washington Redskins. [4] He held the role for four seasons, but was fired upon the hiring of new head coach Dan Quinn.

Air Force

Russ was hired as a special assistant to the head coach for Air Force for the 2024 season, returning to his alma mater, where he also coached in various defensive roles from 2012 to 2017, including defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. [5]

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References

  1. "Steve Russ Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  2. "1995 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  3. Briggeman, Brent (January 26, 2018). "Air Force defensive coordinator Steve Russ leaving for assistant job with NFL's Carolina Panthers". Gazette.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  4. Washington Commanders Public Relations (January 15, 2020). "Redskins Announce Coaching Staff". Commanders.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  5. "Steve Russ - Football Coach".