University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Entering his eighth year as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Central Oklahoma is Russ Pickett.

Pickett, who serves as recruiting coordinator, will return to coaching defensive backs in 2019 after coaching the Broncho defensive line for the past few seasons. During his tenure at Central, Russ has coached 17 All-MIAA selections on the defensive side of the football. He's also had a pair of players earn both All-Region and All-American honors on defense.

In 2018, Pickett's defense put together one of the more remarkable stretches in school history – posting three consecutive shutouts. It was just the second time in 40 years at Central that such a feat occurred and it was the only such stretch in the nation last year. UCO had a strong defense throughout the season, topping the MIAA in pass defense while opponents struggled to find the end zone through the air against the Bronchos. UCO allowed 160 rushing yards per game and just 196 passing yards per game while forcing 31 total turnovers. 

Pickett's defense saw a bit of a resurgence in 2017, intercepting 14 passes and recording 21 sacks. That after the defense tallied six interceptions and forced nine fumbles in 2016.

UCO's defense enjoyed a two-year stretch that helped the Bronchos post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2003-04. UCO went 8-4 and finished third in the rugged Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in 2014 before going 7-5 in 2015 after rebounding from an 0-4 start. The Bronchos held six opponents to less than 400 yards total offense in 2015 and seven defenders earned All-MIAA recognition.

Pickett was defensive/recruiting coordinator at Navarro in 2010 and ‘11, helping lead the Bulldogs to a 21-3 record, the 2010 junior college national championship and back-to-back conference titles.

Russ directed a unit that led the conference in defensive scoring both years at Navarro.  He coached 12 all-conference players while with the Bulldogs, including one first-team All-American.

A native of Camden, Ark., Pickett was a four-year letterman as an offensive lineman at Division II Ouachita Baptist, serving as team captain his senior year.

He started his coaching career at Division II Southern Arkansas, spending two years as a graduate assistant before taking over as defensive line coach in 2005 and then moving to the secondary in 2006.

Pickett coached three players who signed with NFL teams during his tenure with the Muleriders, including defensive tackle Cedric Thornton, who is currently on the Dallas Cowboys roster.

Russ moved on to Fort Scott Community College as defensive coordinator in 2007, spending two years there.  

The Greyhounds went 9-3 in 2007 as Pickett’s defensive unit finished 10th nationally in total defense, with four players earning all-conference honors.  Pickett’s defense posted five shutouts and allowed a conference-low 6.9 points a game during a 9-2 campaign in 2008 as seven players earned all-conference honors and three were named All-American.

Pickett spent the 2009 season as defensive coordinator at Benton (Ark.) High School before going to Navarro College where he joined forces with Nick Bobeck. The two came to UCO together in 2012.

Russ, who received his bachelor’s in physical education from OBU and his master’s in educational leadership from SAU, is married (Kristin) and has three daughters (Lexie, Ella Grace and Embry).