Russo hired to coach Cards
Richard Russo cut his coaching teeth at a Class 2A school.
“You have to maximize every player on the roster,” he said. “Every player has a role. Everybody has to embrace their role and pull in the same direction.”
Russo’s 22nd year in coaching and 12th as a head coach will be a new task as he makes the move to 2A Potts Camp from 4A Tishomingo County, his alma mater.
“I’m from here (Tishomingo County) and I love it, but I just wasn’t at peace going into year three,” he said.
He and his family live in Panola County, but he was staying with his father during the week in Tishomingo County the past two years.
“I looked around because I wanted to get back closer (to home),” said Russo, 44.
“I had three or four opportunities but I felt most at peace taking this one (at Potts Camp). It’s where I need to be.”
He and his wife Sara, have four children — Gabriella, Trey, Clay and Olivia.
He said he talked with outgoing Potts Camp coach Darrow Anderson, who really wanted someone to come in and build on what his staff had accomplished.
“I know Potts Camp has good athletes, and it seemed to be a good fit for me,” Russo said. “I interviewed and got the offer. My wife and I took the weekend to think about it and pray about it. Then I jumped on board.”
Russo was an assistant coach at Bruce for five years after graduating from Mississippi State University. He was then defensive coordinator at Water Valley five years, head coach at North Delta School two years and head coach at Independence seven years before going to Tishomingo County. Independence made the playoffs six of his seven years, reaching the round of 16 twice.
As the school year winds down, he said the administration at Tishomingo County is letting him leave at 11 a.m. Each day so he can go get his feet wet at Potts Camp.
“I will be leading spring training 100 percent,” Russo said. “We will be working around baseball — hopefully the baseball season will keep going.”
The tentative start date for spring practice is April 25. A Red and White scrimmage is set for May 6 and a spring jamboree at Okolona on May 12.
He said he will have a new staff of assistant coaches at Potts Camp.
Cardinal fans, Russo said, can expect a hard-nosed football team that will give a relentless effort for 48 minutes, whether up 40 points or down 40.
“But I sure hope that we are up 40,” he said.
The team’s new motto is “Soar, Take Flight and Protect The Camp.” After summer workouts in the weight room and seven-onseven competition, the Cardinals will host a fall jamboree Friday, Aug. 19. The regular season kicks off Friday, Aug. 26, at Falkner.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Russo said. “I want us to be the best we can be at Potts Camp in all sports. One helps the other. Like I said, there are a lot of good athletes. We just need to get them all on the football field.”