Veteran coach finds new home at Clinton
Phil Russell
Russell, who has coached football in Kentucky for more than two decades, was recently named the Dragons’ special-teams coordinator and head junior varsity coach.
He joins one of Tennessee’s youngest head coaches in Jake Dawson, who will begin his second season at Clinton when the Dragons open the 2026 season at Heritage High School in Maryville on Friday, Aug. 21.
“That’s one of the things that got me excited,” Russell said. “Jake is a great young coach. When I was in Kentucky, I was 47 years old and I was the youngest coach on the staff. I love our staff, and Friday nights in East Tennessee are special.
“I have family in Knoxville,” he said. “My wife is from Knoxville, and I brought her to Kentucky. Now we’re coming back. We’ll have a house in Knoxville in the Pleasant Ridge area. My wife has family down here.”
His wife, Tracey, has deep roots in the Karns community. She has two sons who attended Karns High School. Bryson Garrett went on to play football at Tennessee Tech, while his brother, Zach, owns Southern Valley Lawn Care in Knoxville.
Russell became interested in the Clinton position after helping guide Pulaski County High School in Kentucky to the state championship game in 2025.
“We had just gone to the state championship game, and I saw that Jake had posted a position for a special- teams coach,” Russell said.
“He invited me to Atlanta with his coaching staff,” he said.
Russell has coached football at nearly every level of the game.
“I’ve been a football coach for 21 years,” he said.
“I’ve coached youth football, middle school football, high school football and college football.
“The only place that I haven’t coached is at the professional level,” Russell said.
“I really enjoyed coaching in college.”
Special teams has long been one of Russell’s passions.
“I enjoy coaching special teams,” he said. “Special teams is a crucial part of the game, and I really look forward to coordinating our special teams.
“As a special teams coach, I’ve had the opportunity to coach some great kickers and punters. Punting is an important part of the game.”
Russell also said he’s excited to lead Clinton’s junior varsity program.
“I’m looking forward to coaching JV,” he said.
Russell has two children from a previous marriage who live in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
“I want to be as involved in their lives as much as I can,” he said.
Away from football, Russell enjoys spending time on the golf course and cheering for his favorite teams.
He’s a fan of the Kentucky Wildcats and the Chicago Cubs.
“I love to play golf, and I’m a lifelong Cubs fan,” he said. “I love the Wildcats, and my wife loves the Vols. We’re a house divided.”
The couple does, however, agree on one football team.
Both Phil and Tracey are fans of the Tennessee Titans.
