Ian Russell returns to Reno for his fourth season at the helm of 1868 FC after a record-breaking 2019 to cap the best three-year start in USL history. Russell has been a finalist for USL Coach of the Year twice, and owns 52 wins with Reno.

In 2019, Russell guided Reno to 18 wins and 60 points, both club records. Reno’s September 20th win in New Mexico not only clinched the club’s third straight trip to the playoffs, only five other clubs have made playoffs in each of their first three seasons, it was Russell’s 50th win. Russell was named a finalist for USL Coach of the year, as voted on by his fellow USL coaching staffs

Just under a month later, Reno would top Tulsa to earn Russell his 51st regular-season win. The mark is the most regular-season wins for a coach’s first three seasons with a new club in the USL.

2019 included forward Corey Hertzog earning All-League second team honors, bouncing back from a down 2018 season to set career highs in goals and assists in his first year with the club.

In 2017, Russell’s first year in Reno, forward Dane Kelly earned the league MVP award, the golden boot and a spot on the All-League first team. Joining him on the All-League first team was midfielder Chris Wehan, the league’s assist leader and rookie of the year. That year, defender Jimmy Ockford earned All-League second team honors as well. After the season, Russell was a finalist for Coach of the Year, finishing third in the voting.

Russell began his coaching career in 2008 with the Earthquakes as an assistant coach, a position he held for eight seasons. He helped lead the club to the postseason twice, while earning the Supporters’ Shield for best regular season record (19-6-9) in 2012. Russell was also instrumental in the Quakes’ international and collegiate scouting efforts, and briefly helped oversee the club’s youth development as the academy’s technical director. He served as the Earthquakes interim head coach for the final two games of the 2014 season and holds a U.S. Soccer Federation “A” coaching license.

Russell played for the University of Washington before starting his professional career with the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division in 1998 and 1999. Russell was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2000 and continued to play seven seasons in MLS. Six of those seasons came with the Earthquakes, where Russell helped the team win two MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003.

In his free time, Russell enjoys the outdoors, especially fishing, spending time with his family and of course watching soccer.