By Richard Immel
USA Wrestling
Joe Russell, who received the Medal of Courage from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007, has been hired as Manager of Freestyle Programs by USA Wresting, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States.

Russell will transition to his position at USA Wrestling, working under U.S. National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick, after previously serving as the head coach at George Mason University for the past six years.

“I feel blessed and honored to be chosen to assist the Freestyle National Team. As a passionate advocate for wrestling from before I could even walk, this honor and responsibility given to me is breathtaking,” Russell said.

During his tenure at George Mason, Russell led the program to 41 dual-meet victories and coached six wrestlers to eight berths at the NCAA Championships. Prior to his arrival at George Mason, Russell was a longtime assistant coach at the University of Minnesota where he helped guide the Gophers to three NCAA team championships and six Big Ten championships. In addition, he coached 11 individual NCAA champions, 31 individual conference champions and 84 NCAA All-Americans.

“I’m really excited to get some help in the door, but to announce Joe Russell, and welcome he and his wife Sadie and their son Taft to the USA Wrestling family,” Zadick said. “As much as wrestling experience, Joe has a unique personality, character and integrity that he’s just going to be a tremendous asset to our wrestling program, the men’s freestyle program, as an assistant coach and programs manager.”

Russell has extensive experience coaching the international styles and involvement with USA Wrestling throughout his coaching career. He was selected as coach for the U.S. Cadet Greco-Roman World Team in 1999 and 2013. Russell also coached three Junior Pan American Championship teams in freestyle and Greco-Roman in 2002, 2004 and 2014.

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