Posted: Oct 17, 2017
Jim Russell is in his 19th season as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Central Lakes College. Russell has never had a losing season and posts at the end of the 2014-15 season a 354 – 148 (71%). Russell is the most winningest coach ever at Central Lakes College. Coach Russell has attended the Minnesota State Tournament 18 of 19 seasons and has won the Conference title 7 times and has attended the NJCAA National Tournament in 2007-2008 and 2011-2012. He has also received the honor of Region XIII Basketball Coach of the year for years 2008 and 2012. While also receiving MCAC Basketball Coach of the year for the years 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2015.
Coach Jim Russell has a passion for the game as well as the individual student athletes that he has the privilege of working with every year. Coach Russell's winning philosophy revolves around a few basic principles such as a complete understanding of the game's fundamentals, a strong commitment to the recruiting process, and a continuous effort for perfection through integrity and hard work.
Every year Coach Russell has players move on to play for NCAA and NAIA and they have had great success there. Russell and his wife, Nancy, live in Brainerd with their children – Jacob, Michael and Courtney.