Russ was born in Sampson, Wisconsin on June 10, 1920. His family moved to Medford when he was a young boy where he attended Medford public schools. As a high school athlete, Russ excelled in track and was a three-year letterman as a middle-distance runner. He was the 880 District Champion in his junior and senior year, He competed in basketball and baseball. He as a three-year letterman in basketball at Medford and played in the 1938 State Basketball tournament.

Russ attended Southern Oregon College and the University of Oregon before going to Grants Pass as head track coach and assistant in football and basketball. He coached Grants Pass athletic teams for 37 years, His track teams were always competitive, winning several district championships and state titles. One of Russ’s proteges was Bill Dellinger who started his track career in Grants Pass, becoming an Olympic runner and future head track coach at the University of Oregon.