Former UM and Miami Dolphins linebacker Twan Russell named new AD at St. Thomas Aquinas
Twan Russell believes the key to success whether it’s in coaching or being a youth football ambassador or being an athletic director is to maintain good relationships.
It’s something the former Miami Dolphins and University of Miami linebacker learned through the years from hundreds of conversations with legendary St. Thomas Aquinas athletic director George Smith.
“One thing he does better than anyone I’ve seen is manage relationships…the value of relationships and people,” Russell said. “It’s always about people and if you can inspire people to become who they’re supposed to be that’s when you have a great sports [program]. That’s what coach Smith and [Aquinas principal] Dr. [Denise] Aloma do, and I hope to continue to bring to this school.”
Russell hopes to continue Smith’s legacy of success at his alma mater.
Aquinas announced Friday that Russell will take over as the school’s athletic director starting this fall, succeeding Smith, who is stepping down after 39 years in that role and 49 years with the school overall.
Russell, 47, spent the past five seasons coaching linebackers on Aquinas’ football team and the past 16 years working for the Dolphins in their community outreach department – most recently as an Ambassador for Youth Football.
A graduate of Aquinas in 1992, Russell went on to play for the Hurricanes for four years before becoming the Washington Football team’s fifth-round pick in 1997. He played for the Dolphins from 2000 to 2002 and retired after one season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2003.
Coaching runs in the family for Russell, whose father coached football at Pompano Beach Blanche Ely for seven years, and whose two brothers have also become football coaches.
“I get an opportunity to serve at a place that helped me become who I am,” Russell said. “When I look at the defining moments of my life that decided whether I would become a positive person or not, there were people at Aquinas that were there to guide and lead me. I want to be that same conduit to help kids transcend through life in a positive way.”
Smith has overseen 112 state championships and 13 national titles during his tenure with Aquinas. His crowning achievement during his Hall of Fame career was turning the football program into a national powerhouse, which has won a state-best 12 state titles and a pair of national championships. During his time as football coach, Smith went 361-66 (third-winningest coach in Florida history) with eight undefeated regular seasons, six state championships, 13 appearances in the finals, and sent 30 players to the NFL.
“You don’t replace coach Smith,” Russell said. “I think the goal is to take all the success Aquinas has had and continue it and help make it the best you can. That’s what he did and what this school does.”
This story was originally published April 30, 2021 at 3:53 PM.