Utah Blaze hire VooDoo assistant as GM and defensive coordinator

Published: Saturday, July 26, 2008 12:14 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Utah Blaze head coach Ron James announced Friday the hiring of New Orleans VooDoo defensive coordinator Jeff Russell as Utah's new general manager/defensive coordinator.

"We are pleased to sign one of the up-and-coming coaching stars in the Arena Football League and are eagerly anticipating his defensive style and strategies to significantly improve the turnover margin for the Blaze next season," James said of his first hire since being named head coach July 9.

As general manager, Russell will work in close conjunction with team president Jason Jones. Besides running the defense, his responsibilities will primarily include player-personnel issues, salary-cap issues and other duties designated by Jones.

"Jeff is regarded as one of the top young coaches in this league, and we believe he will bring tremendous energy and expertise to our team," Jones said. "He has proven he can scout and recruit top talent as well as motivate and maximize the potential of his players."

Russell, who played seven seasons in the AFL, recently completed his second season with the VooDoo. This year his defense ranked first in the league in interceptions (25), tied for first in takeaways, ranked third against the run (14.5) and fifth in points allowed (52.2).

Story continues below

Under Russell, New Orleans' Lin-J Shell led the league in tackles with 118.5, while Calvin Spears was 10th in the league with 84.5 tackles.

"I think it's a good fit for me in taking on the GM role and being more involved in all aspects of the team," Russell said. "It is certainly something for me that is more responsibility than I have had in the past. If you're looking to grow you have to make moves, and to me it seems like a real good fit. I felt comfortable, and I think it's going to be a good move for everybody."

Russell started his coaching career in 2003 as the wide receivers/defensive backs coach for the Detroit Fury. The Fury went from 1-13 in 2002 to 8-8 in 2003. The turnaround tied the AFL's single-season record.

Russell, 36, was a four-year letterman at the University of Pacific and received a bachelor's degree in English. He later earned a master's degree in physical education from Middle Tennessee State.

Recent comments

Finally, a proven coach to focus on the secondary. This should be an...

Russell | July 27, 2008 at 6:17 a.m.

Dear utah who. Your season tickets miss you to. ....


Utah starzz

blaze nation | July 26, 2008 at 10:45 a.m.

I thought we lost our WNBA team?

Utah who? | July 25, 2008 at 1:20 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

***4th overall pick not 4th round

@Chadders.......I like your analogy of the "System". That is why I would...

Tyrus Thomas is one of the most athletic PFs in the game. He is a very raw...

All about money, and he had a posie following him around. Just think of...

In-n-Out is taking over the WORLD!

Now there's a riveting story!

The difference, Ranger, is that the students are actually accountable for...

Nicki - I see you are critical of the Trinity talk but seemed to have...

Doesn't matter how nice a casket is once it's 6 feet under.

You're RIGHT ON Captain Kirk. People don't understand the way things work in...

Advertisements