Russell named new athletic director
Russell replacing legendary Smith
Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Twan Russell was named the new athletic director at St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday. He will start in his new role at his alma mater in July, after legendary Aquinas AD and football coach George Smith retires at the end of the school year. Russell played seven seasons in the NFL -- three with the Dolphins from 2000 to 2002, plus stints in Washington and Atlanta. That experience will be helpful as he tries to fill the shoes of Smith, who transformed the Raiders into one of the premier high school football programs in the nation and created a pipeline to major colleges and the NFL.
St. Thomas Aquinas on Friday named former Miami Dolphins linebacker Twan Russell as its new athletic director and the successor to legendary AD and football coach George Smith.
Russell is a St. Thomas alum and played seven seasons in the NFL. Surrounding his three seasons with the Dolphins from 2000 to 2002, he suited up for Washington from 1997 to 1999 and the Atlanta Falcons in 2003. He is a University of Miami grad.
Since 2005, Russell has remained involved with the Dolphins as a director in their community outreach department. He has also maintained a strong relationship with Smith and St. Thomas as linebackers coach under football coach Roger Harriott since 2017.
“I believe I was indirectly prepared for this opportunity through my relationship with Coach Smith,” Russell said in a statement. He will continue coaching the Raiders linebackers until the AD transition takes place in July. It’s not known whether he will retain his position with the Dolphins.
“Twan Russell is an accomplished community leader with a decorated background in the athletic industry,” said Harriott in a statement sent to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “As Coach Smith’s
successor and a distinguished alumni of STA, we’re blessed to have him lead our athletic programs and continue to build on our internationally renown reputation and great traditions.”
Added St. Thomas Principal Dr. Denise Aloma in a statement: “I am exceptionally proud of Twan as a leader, a coach and a person of faith. I am very confident that the St. Thomas Aquinas athletic program will continue to thrive with his guidance, commitment and passion.”
Smith is set to retire after 49 years with Aquinas at the end of the school year. He transformed the Raiders into one of the premier high school football programs in the nation and created a pipeline to major colleges and the NFL since becoming head football coach in 1975 after he was initially hired as wrestling coach in 1972.
Smith became the athletic director in 1982 and remained in the role after retiring from coaching in 2011 after 34 seasons. His career record as a coach was 361-66 with six state championships and a pair of national titles.
During Smith’s tenure as athletic director, Raiders teams have won dozens of state championships across all sports.
Largely a special teams standout during his professional football career, Russell collected 69 tackles over his seven NFL seasons, adding a fumble recovery for the Dolphins in 2000. He was a 2018 inductee into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame
Russell is also chairman of the board for the Russell Education Foundation, an institution he and his mother started 23 years ago which focuses on providing after-school education programs for local students.
“Coach Russell is a spiritual servant leader and an innovative, forward thinker with strong administrative skills,” Harriott said. “Although he possesses substantial leadership qualities, his most impressive attribute is passion to serve others with brotherly love and professional integrity.
“Now full time at our alma mater, I’m sure he’s grateful for the opportunity and excited to carry on our championship standard and culture.”