University of Richmond Athletics
Russ Huesman Signs Contract Extension with Spider Football
02/28/2023 | Football
RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Football Head Coach Russ Huesman has received a multi-year contract extension, Vice President and Director of Athletics John P. Hardt announced Tuesday. Huesman led the Spiders to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the Second Round of the FCS Playoffs in 2022.
"Russ and his staff have put Spider Football in a tremendous position for future success," said Hardt. "Last year's postseason run demonstrated what this program is capable of, and I expect that the Spiders will continue to make an impact at the top of the CAA and in the FCS Playoffs for years to come. Russ is an outstanding coach and mentor to our Spider Football student-athletes, and I'm very glad that he will continue to lead our program."
2023 will be Huesman's seventh season as Head Coach at Richmond. He's led the Spiders to a winning record in each of the last three seasons and has compiled a 33-29 mark overall. Huesman's coaching career spans more than 40 years, including five seasons as an assistant on the Spiders staff from 2004 to 2008, when he and the Spiders were crowned 2008 FCS National Champions.
"I'm proud of what our teams have accomplished at Richmond and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to build on last year's success," said Huesman. "I'd like to thank John Hardt and President Kevin Hallock for their support for me and for our entire program. The University of Richmond is a special place and I'm excited to have the opportunity to continue to lead the Spider Football program."
Huesman's 2022 team won five of its final six regular season games to finish 6-2 in the CAA, tied for third in the final conference standings. The Spiders earned a berth in the FCS Playoffs, where they defeated Davidson 41-0 in the First Round for the first postseason shutout in program history. In the Second Round, Richmond pushed unbeaten No. 2 seed Sacramento State to the limit, taking a lead into the fourth quarter before falling 38-31. Richmond placed 11th in the season-ending Stats Perform FCS Media Poll and 12th in the AFCA Coaches Poll. Quarterback Reece Udinski won the Dudley Award as the top college football player in Virginia and linebacker Tristan Wheeler was given the CAA's prestigious Chuck Boone Leadership Award for his athletic and academic accomplishments.
Prior to coming to Richmond, Huesman served as the Head Coach at Chattanooga, his alma mater, for eight seasons. During that span, he guided the Mocs to a 59-37 record and was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year three times.
Huesman has also coached at the University of Memphis (1998-2003), William & Mary (1985-97), and South Carolina (1983-84). In 1982, he served as a student coach at Chattanooga after starting four seasons in the Mocs defensive secondary from 1978-81.
Huesman and the Spiders will open the 2023 season on September 2 vs Morgan State, one of six home games for Richmond next season.
