Ryan Russell joined the Mizzou staff in February, 2021 as Assistant Athletics Director and Executive Director of Athletic Performance. He arrived in Columbia from Auburn where he served as Assistant Athletic Director of Athletic Performance under highly-successful head coach Gus Malzahn from January, 2018 through January, 2021.
With Russell on staff, the football programs he has worked with have combined to win one national championship (Auburn, 2011 BCS National Champions), six conference titles and play in 20 bowl games. In his new position at Mizzou, he will provide leadership and administrative oversight of all areas with the football program that directly impact the Tigers' development on the field, including the areas of nutrition, strength and conditioning, equipment and athletic medicine.
Russell first connected with Malzahn as a member of his Arkansas State staff in 2012 as Director of Athletic Performance, then returned to Auburn for his third tour of duty in 2013 as the Tigers' Director of Strength and Conditioning from 2013-20.
From 2010-11, Russell served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Auburn, working with the football program, before moving to Arkansas State. He was also football's Director of Sports Nutrition. Russell was an associate strength and conditioning coach for the Boise State football program from 2007-09.
He served strength and conditioning internships at Pitt (2005) and Louisville (2004-05) before joining the Auburn staff - for the first time - as a graduate assistant coach in 2005-06.
Russell played professional football in the Arena Football League for the Las Vegas Gladiators and the Louisville Fire in 2003. A three-time all-conference wide receiver at West Liberty State from 2000-02, he earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science in 2004.
Russell received his master's degree in adult education from Auburn in December 2006 and his doctorate in May 2020 from University of Western States in sport and performance psychology. He holds a number of professional certifications, including CSCS, SCCC, SNC, USAW Level 1 and FMS.
The Palm Springs, Calif., native met his wife, the former Sarah Porter, during his first stint at Auburn.
