Defensive Coordinator Steve Russ No Longer Part of UAB’s Staff

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - December 27, 2025

UAB will have a different defensive coordinator for the third time in three seasons with the departure of Steve Russ.

There has been no official announcement of a change at defensive coordinator. But Russ is no longer listed on the official roster at uabsports.com, the position has been posted on job boards and sources confirmed he will not be a part of Alex Mortensen’s first staff as the UAB head coach. Russ spent one season at UAB after Sione Ta’ufo’ou was fired following his second season under Trent Dilfer.

UAB finished toward the bottom of the FBS in several defensive categories. The Blazers were 118th in total defense (423.3 yards per game), 120th in rushing defense (191.1 ypg), 134th in team passing efficiency defense, 133rd in scoring defense (38.3 points per game), 132nd in third down conversion percentage defense (.490) and 110th in red zone defense (88.2 percent).

Two members of the defensive staff – cornerback coach Ryan Lewis Sr. and nickels coach Tee Mitchell – have also been removed from the official roster. Lewis is considered to be a prime candidate to become the Florida A&M defensive coordinator.