RUSS RUSSELL

POSITION: HEAD JV COACH

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POSITION: HEAD JV COACH
COLLEGE: GEORGIA SOUTHERN
HIGH SCHOOL: BENEDICTINE MILITARY

Coach Russ Russell is in his 22nd year in education and 9th year as a teacher and coach for the Bucs. This year he will teach Algebra II, American Lit, and Study Skills as a member of our Special Education Department. Coach is married to the former Genie Parker and is blessed to have had both his children graduate from Allatoona. Rett ‘18 graduated with an Economics Degree, played Outside Linebacker at Wofford College, and is currently pursuing his MBA while playing football as a graduate student at The Citadel. As a Buc, Rett was a part of our 2015 State Champion Football Team and our 2018 State Runner-up Baseball Team. Chamblee ’20, a junior at Georgia Southern University, has completed three seasons as an Outside Hitter. As a Buc, Cham was a part of our 2019 State Champion Volleyball Team and received numerous awards, including Georgia AAAAAA Player of the Year (2019) and two-time Region Volleyball Player of the Year. Since arriving at Allatoona in 2014, Coach Russell has enjoyed every season in Baseball, three each in Softball and Volleyball, and one in Girls’ Basketball.

Coach Russell’s professional career began as a graduate intern with the New York Yankees in 1996. He was on the staff that opened Legends Field in Tampa as the Yankees new Spring Training home and was responsible for both Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto on their honored days. Later that year, he moved to Atlanta to work for the Centennial Olympic Games in Basketball. In 1997 Coach Russell was named Pitching Coach at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, where he would remain for two seasons under Coach Bill Popp. Coach Russell left Oglethorpe in 1998 to serve as the Recreation Ministry Director for two years at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, Duluth, GA. His teaching career began in the fall of 2000 when Coach accepted the positions of Athletic Director and Physical Education Teacher at Pinecrest Academy in Cumming, GA.

As the first Athletic Director at Pinecrest, Coach Russell oversaw the establishment of eight sports, transitioned into competitive high school athletics, and worked as the initial Head Coach in Baseball, Basketball, and Football. Coach Russell left Pinecrest in the summer of 2004 to begin a new challenge as the Athletic Director at Mt. Paran Christian School. In addition to his duties as AD, Coach Russell served four seasons as Head Baseball Coach and two seasons each as Head Boy’s Basketball Coach and Head Softball Coach. He led five teams into the state playoffs, including a finish as the State Runner-up in Baseball (2005) and a Sweet Sixteen appearance (2006). Coach Russell was named the 2005 Atlanta Journal Constitution-Cobb County Baseball Coach of the Year and the Region Athletic Director of the Year twice (2007 & 2008). In Softball, Coach Russell led the Eagles to their first two state playoff appearances in school history (2006 & 2007). In 2008, he was named a Certified Master Athletic Administrator by the NFHS/NIAAA.

Leaving the private world for the public Coach Russell arrived at McEachern in 2009, where he began working in Special Education. He coached five baseball and softball seasons and served as the Head Softball Coach for the last three years. He helped the 2012 Baseball Indians reach the State Playoffs, and the 2013 Baseball Indians win a Region Championship and a #1 AAAAAA state ranking. Several of Coach Russell’s former Baseball & Softball Indians went on to compete at the collegiate level, with four playing in the minor leagues and one MLB player. In 2013, Coach Russell was named an Atlanta Falcons/Symetra Hero in the Classroom for his work as a Special Education Teacher. He was recognized on the field before the Falcons vs. Patriots game.

Coach Russell is a native of Savannah, graduating from Benedictine Military High School in 1989. He was a pitcher at Georgia Southern University under Coach Jack Stallings. During his freshmen season, the Eagles won the Midwest Regional Championship beating UCLA, Wichita State, and South Alabama, advancing to the 1990 College World Series in Omaha, NE. Coach Russell left GSU with both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, has completed a Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Educational Leadership.