University of Mary running back Jamal Lomax often welcomes short breaks in practice.

It gives him a chance to get a quick history lesson from running backs coach Walt Russell a history buff.

Lomax has heard facts about Lewis and Clark's adventures. He's probably received short history lessons on explorer Daniel Boone and patriot Paul Revere.

"We will go through periods of practice where he will just go off and start telling us a history lesson,"Lomax said with a laugh. "He always has a story to tell us about some general somebody. There's never a dull moment. It's an escape."

Russell doesn't stop at American history. In previous years, he has taught the Marauders about past college football players, such as Elroy "Crazy Legs"Hirsch of Wisconsin or Howard "Hopalong"Cassady of Ohio State.

Russell enjoys telling his players about old-time running backs or former Heisman Trophy winners.

"I like to give them a bit of history and awareness of people from the past,"Russell said. "It gives them an idea of what went on in the past."

Russell is more than a historian to the Marauders. He also knows football, and he knows it very well, thank you.

He's the oldest and most experienced coach on staff, having more than 40 years of coaching experience.

Lomax knows retirement is on the horizon for Russell. But Lomax hopes it's not in the near future.

"I don't want another running back coach,"Lomax said. "If he wants to retire after I graduate, that's fine with me."

To U-Mary

Russell, a 1956 graduate of Mandan High school, played running back and defensive back for the Braves.

A devoted Fighting Irish fan, Russell attended Notre Dame and earned double degrees in history and physical education. He got his master's from Notre Dame in educational administration.

As a child, Russell would go pheasant hunting with his dad, but would often sit in the vehicle and listen to Notre Dame games on the radio.

After finishing his education, Russell went straight into coaching football and track and field. He coached at the high school level in Michigan, Rapid City, S.D., Garrison, Dallas, Bozeman, Mont., and Billings, Mont.

Russell headed up the track programs, but he preferred to be an assistant football coach . His only stint as a head coach came in the mid 1980s in Bozeman on an interim basis.

"It got where I was happy being an assistant coach,"Russell said. "I didn't have to deal with the pressure of being a head coach and all the turmoil that went with it."

Russell, who entered his eighth year with the Marauders, met U-Mary head coach Myron Schulz when Schulz was getting his masters degree at Montana State.

A few years later, Russell moved back to Mandan after his dad suffered a stroke, and his mom was struck with Alzheimer's.

Schulz asked Russell to be part of his staff. Russell coached the tight ends his first year and then moved to running backs.

"He's got a passion,"said Schulz, who travels with Russell to the national football coaches convention every year. "He loves football. He's more of a teacher. He'll correct when necessary and motivate when necessary."

A real passion

Russell said his real passion for coaching comes from leading high school athletes. He has turned into a fine mentor at the college level.

"You're teaching the same skills,"he said. "With the college kids you just continue to improve or work to eliminate bad habits. Teaching and working with young people has been fun."

Lomax loves Russell's demeanor and approach to the game.

"His days of yelling, ranting and raving are probably all behind him," Lomax said. "He's more laid back from all the other coaches."

Russell has taught Lomax to carry the ball up and tight. He also taught Lomax the virtue of patience.

"I'm not in a such a rush to get to the line of scrimmage,"Lomax said. "I let things develop to make it easier on myself. He gets on all the backs about holding the ball up and tight. Once he yells your name, you know what you did wrong."

Even though Russell has been around the game for about four decades, he never stops trying to hone his coaching skills.

At the national convention, Russell takes advantage of coaching seminars and picks other coaches brains.

"Football is a game that cycles and changes,"Russell said. "You have to keep up with it."

Like a history buff, Russell can look into past coaching philosophies.

One of Russell's hobbies is buying and collecting old coaching books. Russell owns a copy of a football book written in 1896 by Walter Camp, the father of American football.

Russell's knowledge of football has helped U-Mary grow into the Northern Sun and NCAA Division II.

"It's going to get a lot better as time goes on," Russell said. "The NSIC will be a great conference. The school has a plan to grow."