Tony Russ, Beloved Legendary Teacher, Coach, Administrator Passes Away
Tony Russ, Beloved Legendary Teacher, Coach, Administrator Passes Away
By Wally Mieskoski ’71
Tony Russ ’66, a long-time teacher, coach, administrator, and a legendary figure to thousands of Benedictine students, has died on June 30, 2024 at age 75. Russ served in many roles while at Benedictine including Dean of Men, Athletic Director, and wrestling coach before retiring in 2013 after 44 years at the school. He was a member of the second Benedictine Athletic Hall of Fame class in 1993.
For decades, Russ was a long-time assistant under head football coach Augie Bossu and succeeding coaches. While Russ did not achieve much public recognition in the media, the influence on his students and teams was inestimable.
“As Dean of Men and disciplinarian, Tony’s image as a tough coach was his most valuable asset. He never smiled during school hours. He could walk into an unruly dining hall or study hall and suddenly there was complete silence,” said Fr. Gerard Gonda, O.S.B. ’71, former president, and principal.
Beneath his gruff demeanor and tough-love discipline, Russ could be a most humble man.
Benedictine Chief Operating Officer Chris Lorber ’04 said, “After he announced his retirement, Coach Russ kindly served an additional eight months in the Athletic Director’s office to help me as a young professional. He handled the odd responsibilities of the job which allowed me to coach. He was always available to answer questions and provide insight,” added Lorber. “It was during this time that I finally saw him, not as an intimidating disciplinarian, but instead as a friend, mentor and inspiration,” he added.
Dave Schroeder ’90, current Benedictine President, and former captain of the 1989 Bengals defense, is thankful today for the difficulties of practice days and game nights under the guidance of Tony Russ. Said Schroeder, “Coach Russ continually challenged me on the football field to overcome adversity to become a better player. I will never forget the chance he gave me to prove myself. That confidence he instilled helped me realize that adversity often brings opportunity. And that realization has been a significant tool in my business career.”
“We will continue to uphold his legacy at the Home of Champions with current and future Bengals as he had represented Benedictine High School,” Schroeder added.
Former school president Ryan Ryzner ’95 said, “Tony Russ said do your job and understand how it relates to the job of others around you. Be gracious. Be accountable and hold those around you to that same high standard.”
Continued Ryzner, “We thought he was giving us the game plan for Friday night’s game. He was giving us the playbook for servant leadership in life. For those who knew him, you know you were blessed. For those who didn’t, ask someone who did and pull up a chair…”
As defensive coordinator and architect of the historically-tough Bengals defenses, Russ was renowned for his ability to shut down opposing team’s high-powered offenses. In the 1980 and the 1996 state title game wins, the Bengals did not allow their opponents to complete a pass.
From 1961 to 1997, Benedictine compiled a streak of holding at least one team to a shutout in each of those years. Russ played major roles for much of this streak both as a player and a coach. In 1996, the Bengals defensive unit honored Russ by giving him a game ball after the team held its fourth straight opponent to a shutout, a school record.
He joined the Benedictine faculty in the fall of 1970 as an English teacher and football coach and moved up to the varsity staff in 1971. He was the head coach of the 1970 freshman football team, and his impact was immediate. That team went 7-0 and outscored opponents 200-6. Later, with Russ in charge of the defense, those players as seniors won the school’s (and Cleveland’s) first state playoff title with a 38-13 win over Ironton in 1973.
A three-year letterman at Benedictine, Russ played on the offensive and defensive lines. As a senior, he gained local accolades as an All-East Senate choice and All-Scholastic selection by the Plain Dealer, Cleveland Press and the Call and Post newspapers. He also won All-Ohio honors and played in the annual North-South All-Star game.
Russ was a captain on the 1965 Bengals team that finished as the area’s No. 1 team and was the highest-scoring team to that date in school history. He played in three consecutive City Championship Games at the old Cleveland Stadium winning titles in 1963 and 1965.
In that 1965 title game, Russ blocked a South High punt to put the Bengals in scoring position. Later at a crucial point in the game, with the Bengals leading 14-0, South had driven to the Bengals five-yard line. On fourth down, the Flyers star running back tried to sweep the right end but was thrown for a four-yard loss. Russ led the barrage of Bengals defenders to make the stop.
From there, the Bengals drove 91 yards for the score to increase their margin to 21-0. “That was the turning point,” said Coach Bossu after the game. It helped Benedictine to win another Charity Game title 29-8 over South in front of a crowd of 36,202.
He earned a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati but knee injuries requiring several surgeries ended his playing career.
Russ lived in North Royalton with his wife of nearly 50 years, Ginny. He is also survived by his brothers Tim ’68 and Bob ’72 and their spouses and many nieces and nephews.
Tony Russ will be laid to rest on Wednesday, July 10 at St. Andrew Abbey. A viewing will take place at 11:00AM with the Funeral Mass beginning at 12:00PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Benedictine High School, 2900 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44104.
