Cody Russell joined the Nebraska-Kearney football program in the summer of 2019 and served as one of two graduate assistant coaches for two seasons. He was promoted to full-time status in May 2021.Â
As a GA, he assisted Jake Willrich in coaching the Loper defensive backs. In his new role Russell will lead UNK's cornerbacks. He coached the outside receivers in the spring of 2021.Â
In 2022, veteran corner 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).Â
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. The Lopers held three foes under 20 points including national power Northwest Missouri State.Â
The 2020 season was canceled by the on-going COVID pandemic but UNK was one of a handful of D2 schools to play countable games in the fall. The Lopers won at Pittsburg State, 31-26, for the first time in 37Â years while beating in-state rival Chadron State, 45-35, at home. A young defense totaled 13 pass break ups, five sacks and forced a fumble.Â
A Michigan native, Russell graduated from Central Michigan University in 2016 with a B.A. in Sports Management. He coached in the high school ranks after being a hurdler on the Chippewas track and field team.
Prior to coming to Kearney Russell was in Detroit where he worked for the Legacy Football Organization as a quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator for the 7v7 Legacy Football League. The LFO is an off-season development program that provides platforms for student-athletes on and off the field through community service, social awareness, education, and football development.
Russell was an assistant freshmen and varsity football coach at his prep alma mater, Traverse City West, after graduating from CMU. In his first year he helped the Titans varsity team post an 8-1 record, win a league title and a playoff game before losing in the district finals. He was head coach of the freshman team the following fall, leading the group to a 5-4 record and a league title. Russell also was the defensive backs and QB coach for a varsity team that won another conference crown and posted a 7-2 record.
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.
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