Erk Russell, who was the University of Georgia’s defensive
coordinator for 17 years before taking over as head coach at Georgia
Southern and winning three national championships, died in an auto
accident in Statesboro, Ga., today
. Russell’s tenure coincided with my
undergraduate years and many more after that of traveling to Georgia
games. Watching him go head to head with his helmeted Junkyard Dawgs defense before each
game, with blood streaming from his shaved head, is an image I’ll never
forget (see photo). Russell was one of many Auburn alums that Vince
Dooley (also an Auburn alum) brought with him when he took over the
program in 1964. But Russell was the most inspirational. Rest in
peace, hairy dawg.