Boys basketball: No place Kurt Russell would rather be than coaching at Oberlin

For nearly two decades, Kurt Russell has been the face of Oberlin boys basketball. A calming influence on the sidelines during an often chaotic game, a link to the proud history of one of Lorain County's most storied programs and an educator who uses the game of basketball to navigate his players through the game of life. Russell has also been one of the county's most successful coaches, earning his 200th career win earlier this season when the Phoenix defeated Lake Ridge Academy. "It's more about Oberlin than it's about me," Russell said of reaching the 200-win mark. "It means more for me personally for what it means to the school itself. It shows the commitment the school has made to our team and to the athletic department." Russell, a 1990 Oberlin grad, will be looking for career victory No. 205 tonight when Oberlin travels to face Lorain County League-leading Brookside in a game that can be streamed on weol.com and the Chronicle-Telegram YouTube Channel. "Oberlin is home and Oberlin raised me, so I want to give back," Russell said. "I was influenced by coach Bob Walsh." Walsh, a legendary figure in Lorain County basketball history, was Russell's high school coach and an influence on the coach and man that Russell became. "For all of us who played for coach Bob Walsh, he stressed expectation. He demanded you do things the right way," Russell said. "Those lessons I took from him I carry not just as a coach but as a teacher and father. Make sure you are demanding and expect your kids to do the right thing at all times." Russell has had his share of big wins, leading the Phoenix to district championships in 2013 and 2016, but he counts among his greatest victories the young men who graduated from his program and went on to be successful professionals, fathers and members of their community. "I've never had a player who went to the NBA and I probably never will, but I've had players become lawyers and doctors and teachers, and that means more to me than wins and losses," Russell said." I don't take wins and losses as serious. What I take serious is if our kids are prepared. If we're prepared, we play hard and we lose, that's OK. If we lose and we weren't prepared, weren't disciplined and we didn't play hard, that's when it becomes stressful." Russell has filled his coaching staff with fellow Oberlin alums who understand the tradition and the status that Oberlin basketball holds in the school and the community. Among the coaches on his staff are Phil Payne, who was a part of the 1986 state title team, and Jordan Beard, who was 2004 Lorain County Mr. Basketball at Oberlin. "They understand Oberlin basketball, they understand coach Bob Walsh and the tradition, and I need them to really stress that to our players," Russell said. "Oberlin basketball means commitment, it means work ethic, it means striving outside of basketball. Oberlin basketball is not just on the basketball court, it's what you do outside of basketball." Russell missed the 2022-23 season when he was on sabbatical after being named National Teacher of the Year. It took the opportunity to meet with world leaders, including former president Joe Biden, and travel the country advocating for teachers and students to keep him away from the Phoenix sidelines. "There's no other place where I'd like to be," Russell said. "I've had some other opportunities over the years but Oberlin is home. I enjoy the kids. I work for a tremendous school district and I'm just blessed to be here." For Russell, coaching is a 24/7 vocation. "Some of our players may not have a role model at home, but the coaches become these kids role models," Russell said. "I'm glad I am able to stand in that gap for our kids." When asked his favorite memory from his years at Oberlin, Russell recalled his first win, an 80-51 victory over Kingsway Christian, in the second game of the 2006-07 season. Although Oberlin will play five of its final seven games on the road, the Phoenix has a chance to build momentum heading into the Division VI district tournament, and a chance to help Russell add to his win total. "We have kids who are working hard and we have kids who want it," Russell said. "It's been a good season. We have really good kids." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.