Cody Russell is now in his third season as the Wide Receivers coach for the Buffaloes as he also serves as the Special Teams Coordinator.
Russell came to WT with Coach Lynn following four seasons at the University of Nebraska-Kearney where he worked with safeties, cornerbacks and outside receivers while also aided the return game in special teams.
In the 2022 season, Russell was part of a defensive unit that only allowed 18.7 points in the MIAA with the cornerback unit only giving up three touchdowns. Veteran cornerback Gabriel Amegatcher earned Second Team All-MIAA honors after having 25 tackles (18 solo) and eight pass breakups. The total tied for the team lead. Next, fellow veterans Jaylen Perkins Sr. and Armani Webster combined for four more PBU's and 37 tackles with this trio accounting for one interception. Their play helped UNK lead the MIAA in pass defense efficiency (106.5) and rank second in opponent pass completion percentage (.544).
In 2021 Russell was apart of a Loper team that ended the season 10-3 with an exit in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division 2 football playoffs. The defensive unit with Russell at the helm of the cornerback position ranked second in Defensive Pass Efficiency with 124.6 yards per game. Prior to the 2021 fall, Russell coached the outside receivers in the 2021 spring.
The Loper secondary amassed seven interceptions, 31 pass breakups and 290 tackles in 2019. UNK went 7-5 and won the Mineral Water Bowl, the program's fourth-ever postseason victory.
Before entering the college ranks Russell coached in high school at his alma mater, Traverse City West, on the Varsity level as an assistant coach and as a freshmen head coach after being a hurdler on the Central Michigan track and field team. Also prior to his time at UNK, Russell worked for the Legacy Football Organization in Detroit as a quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator for the 7v7 Legacy Football League.
Walking on to the Chippewas track and field team in 2011, Russell turned in top times of 8.71 (60 hurdles), 15.64 (110 hurdles) and 53.21 (400 hurdles) over the next two years. He then focused on football, joining the semi-professional Traverse City Wolves of the Great Lakes Football League during the summer months. He was named to the 2013 All-League team as a defensive back after having seven interceptions, three coming back for scores, 10 PBU’s and 15 tackles.
A Michigan native, Russell graduated from Central Michigan University in 2016 with a B.A. in Sports Management. He holds a Master in Physical Education from UNK. Russell and his wife Erin, an athletic trainer at West Texas A&M, were married in the summer of 2024.
