Veteran of the coaching ranks, Warren Russ has been selected as the new Millsaps head men’s soccer coach, the Millsaps Athletics Department announced on Aug. 2, 2022.
Russ has coached at the collegiate level since 1990 at both the NCAA Division I and II levels. He led Georgia Southwestern State as head coach from 2007-2019 as well as an assistant with the University of Georgia women (1995-00) and University of Central Florida men (1990-93).
“I am ecstatic to be named the Head Coach of the Millsaps men's soccer program and in becoming a part of the Millsaps family,” said Russ. “The chance to be a part of an outstanding college like Millsaps, where the educational values as well as the desire for athletic success match my own is a chance in a million and I can't wait to get started.”
“I was hooked the first time I opened the Millsaps website and read, ‘You don't come here. You belong here,’ and that's the way I feel here every day,” added Russ. “I cannot thank Director of Athletics Aaron Pelch and Millsaps College enough for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. My goal is to repay that faith each day building a program that will make the entire campus community proud.”
While at GSW, Russ was in charge of training plans, recruiting, budgeting, implementing travel plans and working through compliance protocols. At least 30 Hurricane student-athletes earned conference accolades under his leadership.
Prior to his long tenure at GSW, Russ was a staff coach for the Gwinnett Soccer Association from 2001-02.
Program building has been a part of Russ’ journey at the highest level. Joining the upstart women’s soccer program at Georgia in 1995, the Bulldogs made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in only three seasons. The following season the Bulldogs reached their first Sweet 16.
Russ joined his alma mater at UCF as a men’s assistant (1990-93) where he was a four-year letterwinner. He also coached with the Florida Olympic Development Program as well as at three Florida high schools.
Other experience includes being involved with the training program of Bayer 04 Leverkusen of the German Bundesliga (1994 and 1995), an assistant coach and Gold Medalist for Team USA at the 2013 World Maccabiah Games and head coach of the team at the 2015 Pan-American Maccabiah Games.
Russ also had a long professional playing career spanning the English Football League, American Professional Soccer League and United Soccer League (1990-99). In order, his teams included Orlando, Wrexham, Myrtle Beach (two stints), Charleston and South Carolina.
A native of Coral Springs, Fla., Russ received his bachelor’s of Business Administration and Marketing from UCF in 1990. He owns both a National “C” Level and NSCAA Advanced National Coaching License.
