Ian Russell

Want to tune in to a Reno 1868 FC game this fall?

ESPN Radio 94.5 airs the games, called by Reno Aces broadcaster Zack Bayrouty. Nevada Sports Net will also broadcast the games. For a game schedule, go to reno1868fc.com.

IanRussell

OCCUPATION: Head Coach of the Reno 1868 FC

BEFORE COACHING RENO 1868 FC: I played college soccer at the University of Washington and then was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS (Major League Soccer). I spent most of my 10-year professional career with the Earthquakes (150 games), but I also played for the Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy and Lech Poznan in Poland. After retiring from soccer, I worked for nine years as an assistant coach with the Earthquakes. In 2017, the Earthquakes the partnered with Reno 1868 FC and formed a team. I was offered the head coaching job here in 2017.

ORIGINALLY FROM:

Seattle, Washington

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Winning two MLS Championships with the San Jose Earthquakes.

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I’M NOT COACHING: Since I travel a lot, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family. I also love to fly fish so I also spend a lot of time fishing the Truckee River.

WHY SOMERSETT? So, there are a lot of reasons why we chose Somersett. I sent my wife to Reno before we moved out here to look at some areas in Reno to buy a house. She came back with a list of houses and when I came out here and looked around there was no doubt where I wanted to live. I told her we are going to live in Somersett for sure. Things I like:

The amazing scenery, views and sunsets.

The Truckee River is very close.

We get more snow in Somersett than other areas in Reno.

My kids love the Club and all the staff there.

But I think the best thing we like is the sense of community. Everyone is super friendly and Somersett just has a great feel to it.

SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT ME: Aside from being an avid fly fisherman, I’m kind of a weather geek. I have a weather station at my house and was able to do the weather segment in 2018 for KOLO 8 News Now and meteorologist Jeff Thompson.

HOW HAVE COVID-RELATED RESTRICTIONS AFFECTED YOU AND THE TEAM? March was a very strange month for the team. When our season was shut down the second week of the month we thought it was going to be for 30 days. It then became pretty evident that this was going to extend much longer and the shutdown actually lasted four months. During that time the team was not able to train but players were given a daily/weekly training regimen from our strength and conditioning coach. We would also have Zoom meetings with the players at least twice a week to go over tactics and videos. I will say the players did a very good job of keeping themselves fit during the quarantine.

The one positive about the lockdown was the time I got to spend with my family. It was one of the very few times that I have ever had an extended period of time when I wasn’t traveling so that was really nice.

Now that the team is playing again but without fans, it’s very different. The players really feed off of the crowd’s energy so that part has been a big adjustment.I know that the coaches and players are hoping that we can get fans later on in the season.