Huesman Leaves Memphis To Take Coordinators Position

Russ Huesman, who has served as a member of the Memphis football staff for the past six seasons, has resigned his position at the U of M to become the defensive coordinator at the University of Richmond.

"Russ has done a great job for the Tiger football program," said head coach Tommy West. "He has coached several positions for us over the years and has done an outstanding job as recruiting coordinator. We wish him nothing but good luck with his new position at Richmond."

A member of the football staff at William & Mary for 14 years and the defensive coordinator for the Indians during the 1996 and 1997 seasons, Huesman came to Memphis came to Memphis in 1998. During his tenure at Memphis, he has coached the Tigers tight ends and tackles, running backs and outside linebackers.

Huesman, who took on the duties of running backs coach for the spring of 2003, was assigned the Tiger tight ends and tackles for the 2003 season.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he worked as outside linebacker coach during the 1998 season at Memphis and was switched to tight end coach in the spring of 1999 to help develop the Tigers' numerous young tight ends.

In 2002, Huesman work with freshman standout John Doucette, who would start five games for the Tigers and was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman squad.

In addition, Huesman serves as the recruiting coordinator for the Tiger staff and has East Tennessee and Alabama for recruiting areas. The 2002 Tiger class was ranked as one of the top 50 classes in the nation and the number one class in Conference USA by Tom Lemming.

West stated that he has not decided about the direction he will take in replacing Huesman.

"I will have to take some time to decide what's best for the team," West said. "I will have to determine if I want to hire a tight end/tackles coach or a tight end coach/recruiting coordinator or maybe a special teams coach. When I have reached a decision, then we will start the hiring process."