Maurice Russell named Fort Meade (Florida) head football coach

Russell is alum of the Miners and played middle linebacker from 2008-12

Fort Meade Middle/Senior High School wanted to make sure its next head coach was familiar with the program. 

The Miners decided to bring back a successful former player to lead the way. 

On Friday afternoon, the school announced the hiring of alum Maurice Russell as the program’s next head football coach. 

Coach Russell played for FMHS as middle linebacker from 08-12 where he was named Small Team Player of the Year twice & District 3A Player of the Year. Coach Russell holds the FMHS Record for most tackles in a single game and most tackles in a single season. pic.twitter.com/9lpstKDGJJ

— Fort Meade Mid/Sen (@FMMSHS) March 1, 2024

“Coach Russell played for FMHS as middle linebacker from 08-12 where he was named Small Team Player of the Year twice & District 3A Player of the Year. Coach Russell holds the FMHS Record for most tackles in a single game and most tackles in a single season.“ 

Russell takes over for Janelle Cornelius, who stepped down after 15 seasons with the program. Since the 2009 season, Cornelius has been a mainstay in the Polk County high school football coaching fraternity. 

Ever since stepping in after Mike Hayde as head coach, all Cornelius did while he was at Fort Meade was win, guiding the program to 11 winning campaigns of the 15 seasons.

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl