Steve Russ is back with Air Force to again run the defense.

The 1995 academy graduate with playing and coaching experience in the NFL served as the Falcons’ defensive coordinator from 2012-17, a position he’ll again handle in 2026.

The hiring of Russ brings clarity to the defensive coordinator spot after blurred lines in 2025. Brian Knorr was the coordinator, but midway through the season defensive play calling was shifted to safeties coach Nick Toth.

Knorr remains on staff as assistant head coach overseeing nickels/spurs, punt block and kickoff coverage. Toth is the linebackers coach at Kansas State.

The rest of the defensive staff includes Alex Means (defensive line), Fred Wyatt (defensive tackles), Charlie Jackson (associate head coach/cornerbacks), Ken Lamendola (inside linebackers) and Mookie Carlile (safeties).

Russ spent last season as the defensive coordinator at Alabama-Birmingham. Prior to that he spent 2024 as a special assistant to the head coach for Air Force.

He coached in the NFL for six seasons after departing Air Force in 2017. He coached linebackers for the Carolina Panthers from 2018-19 and with the Washington Commanders from 2020-23.

Russ has spent time at Ohio, Wake Forest and as defensive coordinator at Syracuse.

After sharing the role, he became the lone defensive coordinator for Air Force in 2014 and helped the program improve from 2-10 to 10-3 with a defense that allowed 24.2 points per game (a 15.8 points-per-game improvement from the previous year).

Russ is part of an Air Force family, as wife, Betsy, is a 1994 graduate who played volleyball and went on to become a pilot. Daughter, Mackenzie, was a 2025 graduate and standout volleyball player and son, Tyler, is a sophomore and member of the Falcons’ baseball team.

Following two years of active service in the military, Russ spent four seasons with the Denver Broncos. He was a part of the 1997 and 1998 Super Bowl championship teams.

Steve Russ coaching career

1995 – Air Force (graduate assistant)

2001 – Ohio University (outside linebackers)

2002-03 – Ohio University (inside linebackers)

2004 – Ohio University (inside linebackers/special teams coordinator)

2005-06 – Syracuse (linebackers)

2007 – Syracuse (defensive coordinator/linebackers)

2008-09 – Wake Forest (tight ends/fullbacks/punt return)

2010 – Wake Forest (linebackers)

2011 – Wake Forest (secondary)

2012 – Air Force (co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs)

2012 – Air Force (co-defensive coordinator/inside linebackers)

2014-17 – Air Force (defensive coordinator/defensive backs)

2018-19 – Carolina Panthers (linebackers)

2020-23 – Washington Commanders (linebackers)

2024 – Air Force (special assistant to the head coach)

2025 – Alabama-Birmingham (defensive coordinator)