Keiser Director of Athletics Kris Swogger announced on Monday the hiring of Myles Russ as the next head coach of the Keiser football program. Russ replaces Doug Socha, who was named head coach at Lenior-Ryhne (NCAA Division II) today.
  
"I am pleased to announce Coach Myles Russ as the new head coach of the Keiser University football program," said Swogger. "Not only is Coach Russ a Day One guy, but he embodies all the qualities that the program was built on...hard-work, good character, family, trust, and he is a proven winner. I still view us as a young program with a lot of things to achieve, and I look forward to the future of the program under Coach Russ's leadership."
 
"I want to sincerely thank Dr. Arthur Keiser (Chancellor), Dr. Gary Vonk (Campus President), and Mr. Kris Swogger (Director of Athletics) for this opportunity to continue my career as head coach at Keiser University.," Russ said. "I have been honored and blessed to be given the experience to learn from the best. Coach (Doug) Socha has been preparing me from Day One of the program and now I have the chance to put that experience into practice. I'm excited to lead this team and will continue to defend the beach."
 
Russ, who has been a member of the program since Day One, becomes the second head coach in Keiser football history. During his time with the Seahawks, Russ served as the assistant head coach, running backs coach, and recruiting coordinator.
 
While with the program, the Seahawks have compiled a 55-15 record (33-3 in conference play). Keiser has made five consecutive NAIA Playoff appearances, winning the NAIA National Championship in 2023. With five straight conference championships (Sun Conference Championship in 2022 and 2023 and the Mid-South Sun Division Championships in 2019, 2020, and 2021), the Seahawks have rushed for a combined 14,585 yards under Russ with 174 total rushing touchdowns. Last season, Keiser rushed for a school-record 3,169 yards and recorded the most rushing touchdowns in a single season (47). Russ has coached three different running backs to six all-conference honors while the Seahawk back field has had five all-American honors.
 
Prior to coming to Keiser, Russ spent five seasons at his alma mater, Robert Morris, as the head running backs coach. He was then selected for the Bill Walsh Minority Internship for the NFL, working with the Buffalo Bills.
 
Russ accumulated 4,271 career rushing yards, which still stands as a Robert Morris career record. Russ carried the ball 818 times in his career, losing just one fumble in the process. Russ also punched in 22 touchdowns for his career and averaged 100 yards rushing per game during his career.
 
Russ was a 2010 preseason All-American, NEC Player of the Year, and NEC All-Conference member. He is also a Hall of Fame member.
 
Russ received his Bachelor of Science degree in business management at Robert Morris in 2011 and went on to complete his Master of Science in instructional leadership in 2014.
 
The Myles Russ File
Coaching Career
2024 – Keiser – Head Coach
2019-2023 – Keiser – Assistant Head Coach, Running Backs Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator
2017-2018 – Keiser – Running Backs Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator
2012-2015 – Robert Morris – Running Backs
Playing Career
2007-2010 – Robert Morris – Running Back
(2010 NEC Offensive Player of the Year, RMU's all-time leading rusher – 4.271)

 

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