By Angie Ledbetter

Richard Russo of Batesville has been named the new head coach of the Independence Wildcat football team.

Russo, who was been the defensive coordinator at Water Valley, said it was a hard decision.

“It is gut wrenching, it was like leaving Bruce and North Delta all over again,” he said. “It killed me to have to tell the players. I was at Water Valley longer than I was at my own high school.”

Russo described his experience at Water Valley.

“Tremendous, I hope every coach gets to coach in a place with 100% support from fans and parents like Water Valley during their career.”

The Blue Devil Defense allowed a school record 39.7 points per game in 2007 prior to Russo’s arrival and improved to 23.0 in 2008 and has posted three consecutive seasons under 14.0 points per game in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Russo accepted the offer March 12 but delayed making it public until he talked to the players yesterday afternoon.

“I am excited about the opportunity and the challenges that presents,” Russo said. “The majority of football coaches I know don’t get into coaching because of money, press, wins, or championships, they get into it to have a profound impact on the young men. They are what it is all about. I owed it to them to find out from me personally and not from the public or media.”

Russo believes he can make a difference at Independence.

“Independence has traditionally had some very good football teams and players,” he said. “I think it is a sleeping giant and can become a mainstay in the 3A playoffs.”

Russo was not unhappy at Water Valley.

 “I was very, very happy at Water Valley. The players, the coaches, the community, the school, and the overall experience was wonderful. Water Valley loves their Blue Devils and love their Football. It was extremely hard both personally and professionally to leave. Water Valley is going to be a contender again in 2013. They have a dynamic quarterback in EJ Bounds who Scout.com has named as a Top 25 Senior going into 2013. Basically, I prayed that if God wants me at Independence He would open the door, and if not, He would close the door.”

Independence will be in the same district as Water Valley.

“The new Division 2-3A will be very, very salty and tough,” Russo said. “Charleston and Water Valley as well as North Panola will be the heavy favorites so not only will we have to rebuild the program at IHS at a rapid pace, but we will have to do it in a difficult division. I will travel with my new team down to Death Valley to play the Blue Devils on October 25, which happens to be my birthday. That will be an emotional night and a difficult task for sure.”

 Independence is (0-22) in the last two seasons, has only scored 164 points and has given up an astounding 847 points.

“I know we can win and win quickly just by working extremely hard on a daily basis, instituting character, hard work, discipline, creating a culture of preparation for winning by starting at the fundamentals level and having an immediate focus on defense and special teams,” Russo said. “Probably the best thing we can do is to have a mission for our players to graduate from the program a better person mentally, physically, spiritually, and in maturity.”

Russo has already been working on his schedule over spring break. He will teach each day at Water Valley and go to Independence in the afternoon to meet the players and get some work done prior to spring training.

Independence has all three returning assistant coaches from last year’s staff coming back.

“I look forward to working with them to improve the lives of our players and developing a personal and professional relationship with each of them.”

Russo is very excited about the new chapter in his life.

“This is a new chapter in the Journey that is Coach Russo’s career,” he said. “I will continue to go by my personal motto, Proverbs 3:6 ‘Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths.’ I can’t wait to see what all we accomplish at IHS and see what our young men do with the character and lessons they learn on the gridiron when they go out into the real world.”

Russo is married to Sara Bailey and they have three children, Gabriella, Trey and Clay. They are members of Batesville First United Methodist Church .