Entering 2025-26: 3rd season as head coach
Jacob Russell enters his third year as the head coach of Fighting Tiger Football. Russell is a 2016 graduate of Campbellsville University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. He was a member of the Fighting Tiger Football team for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In 2024, his Tigers had the highest win percentage of any university in Kentucky.
He is second in program history in career passing yards at 6,703 and second in career passing touchdowns at 66. He also holds the program record for passing touchdowns in a single season, throwing 38 touchdown passes in 2015.
Russell most recently served as head coach for the Kentucky Christian University Knights football team. Under his direction, the Knights improved nationally in every major offensive statistical category from Russell's first season to his second season. The Knights also finished with the second most points and yards in program history in the 2022 season.
Defensively, the Knights finished first in pass defense nationally in 2021 and were fourth in turnovers forced in 2022. They also finished fifth in the nation in defensive touchdowns.
Russell was also the offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Union College Bulldogs football team for two seasons. Russell's leadership improved the Bulldogs' offense from 89th to 34th in points per game in the nation. Union College also improved from 80th to 31st in total offense per game nationally.
Prior to his stint at Union College, Russell served one season as the quarterbacks coach at Webber International University in Babson Park, Fla.
Russell established and oversaw a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter at Union College. He is a member of First Christian Church in Lawrenceburg.
Year by Year Breakdown:
2023: 4-6 (.400)
2024: 9-2 (.818)
