UAB boosts its defense with the latest signing
BIRMINGHAM – Veteran coach and two-time Super Bowl champion Steve Russ has been named the new Defensive Coordinator for the UAB football program by Head Coach Trent Dilfer.
Russ joins UAB after spending the 2024 season as the Special Assistant to the Head Coach at Air Force, his alma mater. Before returning to Air Force, he coached linebackers in the NFL for six seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2018-19) and Washington Commanders (2020-23).
In 2024, Russ helped guide Air Force to national rankings of 42nd in total defense and 51st in scoring defense. Under his leadership, the Falcons held seven of their 12 opponents to 21 points or fewer.
“I’m so excited, humbled, and honored to join Coach Dilfer, UAB Football, and Blazer Nation as the defensive coordinator,” said Russ. “I believe we are a sleeping giant on the brink of greatness. Achieving that will require hard work, collaboration, and belief in the process, but I’m confident we’re ready for the challenge. I can’t wait to get started!”
Prior to his NFL career, Russ served as Air Force’s Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Defensive Backs Coach from 2012-17. He was co-defensive coordinator in 2012 and 2013 before taking on the role solely, leading the team to two 10-win seasons and multiple top-35 defensive rankings.
Russ also coached at Wake Forest (2008-11), where he worked with tight ends, linebackers, and defensive backs, and at Syracuse (2005-07), serving as Defensive Coordinator in 2007. His coaching journey began at Ohio University (2001-04).
“Steve is an outstanding coach, husband, and father who will immediately impact UAB, both for our student-athletes and the institution as a whole,” said Dilfer. “His extensive experience at the highest levels of football as a player and coach will elevate our defense and entire program.”
A seventh-round pick in the 1995 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Russ joined the team in 1997 after completing two years of military service. He won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Broncos in 1997 and 1998, playing until 2000 before finishing his playing career in the XFL.
As a player at Air Force, Russ earned Second Team All-WAC honors in 1994 and appeared in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game and the East-West Shrine Bowl. He received Air Force’s Brian Bullard Award, the program’s highest honor, and is one of only seven Air Force players ever drafted into the NFL.
Russ, a native of Stetsonville, Wis., lives with his wife Betsy. They have two children, Mackenzie, who recently completed her volleyball career at Air Force, and Tyler.