Todd Russ considered himself to be a good defensive player as a guard at White Castle High School and then at the University of Idaho and Nicholls State University.

He expects similar defensive intensity from his players at New Iberia Senior High. Russ was hired over the summer to be the boys’ basketball coach, taking over for Russell Menard.

“Most coaches go back to what they were able to do as a player (for their coaching philosophy),” said Russ this week. “You go to (the University of) Florida, and Steve Spurrier was a passer, so he’s an offensive coach. For me, I thought I was a good defensive player, so unless we find a 7-footer or a 6-7 guy who can just stroke it, our basis is going to be defense. Every night we’re going to give 110 percent on the defensive end.”

Advertisement

Russ, 35, led White Castle to the 1991 Class A state championship and a runner-up finish in 1992, earning championship game MVP honors both years. He began coaching 10 years ago as an assistant coach at the Dunham School in Baton Rouge, then was head coach at Ascension Catholic before joining the staff at Nicholls State University under Ricky Blanton. He also has worked as an assistant coach to Rob Flaska at Centenary College. Last season Russ was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas Pan American under head coach Tom Schubert.

NISH principal Curt Landry said the school was searching for a coach who would have a good rapport with the faculty and parents, as well as have a good grasp of the business end of the sport and develop a strong summer work program. Landry also said it was important the coach be willing to allow his players to participate in other sports. He feels the school found all of those qualities in Russ.

Landry, assistant principal Joel McFarland and athletic director Rick Hutson conducted the search and interviews, the principal said.

“We’re looking at building the program,” said Landry. “We wanted someone that can relate well to the kids.

“We were definitely looking for someone that was interested in being here long term. We didn’t want to have someone who has aspirations to go back to college. We didn’t want someone who was using it as a temporary position.”

Russ said that knowing of New Iberia’s reputation from his days at White Castle, as well as the chance to coach in the state’s highest classification, were among the things drawing him to NISH.

“I saw an opportunity to come in and try to restore the program, rebuild the program,” he said. “Coach Menard (who remains on the staff as an assistant football coach) I consider a great guy. He’s been a great help to me in the transition. There’s not many guys who would do that. He’s handled this like a true professional.

“All I’m trying to do with the young men in the program is restore it to the days when Coach Menard was packing the gym and going 30-7 and 13-1 in district.”

Russ didn’t have the opportunity to work with the team during the summer as much as he wanted to, he said, spending most of the time introducing himself to the players. But he plans a strong offseason workout program for the future, both preseason and postseason. He also encourages players to participate in football, baseball or track if they wish to do so.

“We’re running cross country right now,” said Russ. “We’re going to hit the weights and bulk up. I’m fortunate to be in a situation working alongside Coach Hutson, who’s a football guy through and through, but he’s willing to share his kids with me. The same thing goes for baseball and Coach (Kyle) Seibold.”

Russ said the group he sees being in his top eight are all in football right now. In the spring, he expects many of his players to participate in track where coach Scott Trahan has a strong program.

He’ll also encourage players to get in the gym as much as possible during the offseason, and said that he supports players competing on AAU teams, if it is a good program and benefits the players.

“Back when I played, going back to 1991 and 1992, weights weren’t a big thing,” said Russ. “Now, basketball has become a year-round sport.”

The coach added that he has a pretty good idea of who will be able to help the team out, though he hopes one or two players who may have slipped through the cracks in the past will try out and be of assistance as well.