Jim Russell enters his 29th season as the head coach of the men’s basketball team at Central Lakes College, where he has built a legacy of success and achievement. With an impressive overall record of 557-234 and a conference record of 279-73, Coach Russell has guided his teams to ten conference titles, 26 state tournament appearances, and three NJCAA National Tournaments (2007-08, 2011-12, and 2018-19).

Coach Russell’s coaching excellence has earned him numerous accolades while at Central Lakes College, including Region XIII Coach of the Year honors in 2008, 2012, and 2019, as well as MCAC Coach of the Year in 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2025 and 2026.

Beyond his on-court success, Coach Russell is deeply committed to the growth and development of his student-athletes. He emphasizes hard work, mastering the fundamentals, and personal development, ensuring his players excel both academically and athletically. Many of his players have gone on to continue their careers at NCAA DI, DII, DIII and NAIA institutions. In addition to his coaching career, Coach Russell was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame at Western Colorado University, further cementing his impact on the sport.