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  • Special Teams
  • Born: June 12, 1948, Chicago, IL
  • 2nd Year w/Ravens
  • 15th Year NFL
  • 29th Year Coaching
  • Whittier College

     
  • Russ Purnell  

    Russ Purnell, a 15-year NFL coaching veteran, is in his second season as the Ravens� special teams� coach. Last year, P Kyle Richardson and the punting unit set an NFL record with 39 punts inside-the-20, and Matt Stover connected on his final 18 attempts to finish 28 of 33 (84.8%). Stover�s percentage was the third-best of his career, and his best since 1995.

    Purnell spent four seasons with the Tennessee Oilers (1995-98), after spending nine seasons (1986-94) with the Seattle Seahawks. The Oilers blocked two field goals against the Ravens on 12/14/97 (the final home game played at Memorial Stadium). The Oilers (now Titans) led the NFL in both gross and net punting in 1998. On Oct. 11, 1998, the then-Oilers blocked a Kyle Richardson punt that proved to be the difference in the 12-8 Tennessee win over the Ravens.

    With the Seahawks, Russ was the tight ends/assistant special teams� coach from 1987-91, before taking over the special teams in 1992.

    Russ entered the collegiate coaching ranks in 1970 as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Whittier College. He coached for four seasons at USC as special teams and tight ends� coach before joining the Seahawks as offensive special assignments� coach in 1986. He was promoted to special teams/tight ends coach in 1992.

    Purnell played at Orange Coast J.C. and transferred to Whittier College. He started his coaching career at Corona del Mar H.S. in 1972 and then coached at Edison High from 1973-81, before joining John Robinson�s staff at USC.

    Russ and his wife, Jill, have three children, Timothy (5/11/88) and twins Erin and Jonathan (2/11/91). The Purnells live in Ellicott City, MD.

    Coaching Background: Corona del Mar High School (1972); Edison High School (1973-81); 1982-85 (University of Southern California); 1986-94 (Seattle Seahawks); 1995-98 (Houston/Tennessee Oilers); 1999-2000 (Baltimore Ravens).

    Last updated on 9/6/00.