DJ Russ named Wake Tech head baseball coach

RALEIGH, NC – Wake Tech Athletic Director Robin Pate announced today that DJ Russ has been named head coach of the Eagles' baseball program. Russ, the program's fourth head coach, comes to Wake Tech with much experience throughout North Carolina at multiple levels of collegiate baseball.

"All of my conversations with DJ and every reference and former player I spoke with confirmed what I knew about him," Pate said. "He is focused and driven to teach the game and loves to compete."

"I'm grateful and excited to be the head coach at Wake Tech," Russ said. "The opportunity to lead and develop players at this level has been a lifelong goal. I look forward to building on the recent success of the program and compete in Region 10."

At the collegiate level, Russ most recently served as an assistant coach at the University of Mount Olive (2023-24), where he worked under head coach Rob Watt. While Russ was on staff, the Trojans compiled a 39-18 record and reached the NCAA Tournament.

"I am very happy for DJ," Watt said. "He has been working extremely hard at many different levels of college baseball to gain experience and better himself as a coach. He will be someone that will work diligently to create lifelong relationships with his players and staff."

Prior to that, Russ was the Director of Baseball Operations at High Point University (2022-23), where he managed the program's daily operations in support of the coaching staff and student athletes.

"Wake Tech is getting a guy that is a tireless worker with ties throughout the Carolinas," High Point head coach Joey Hammond said. "DJ is a relationship builder, and his players, alumni, and administration are going to love their daily interactions with him. His commitment to the overall development of each student athlete will set Wake Tech apart from the pack."

Russ is no stranger to Region 10 baseball, having served as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Guilford Tech for four years (2018-22).

This summer, Russ is the head coach for the Forest City Owls of the Coastal Plain League. The Owls are currently a league-best 12-2 and in first place in the West Division. Prior to leading the Owls, Russ was no stranger to the CPL. In addition to assistant coaching stints, he was the head coach of the High Point/Thomasville HiToms in 2022.

"Our quest to find the best head coach to lead the Wake Tech baseball program immediately turned into a national search," Pate said, "with qualified candidates from every level of collegiate baseball applying from Florida to Maine and from Oregon to North Carolina."

"DJ has a great desire to graduate and propel our student athletes to be winners and move on to competitive 4-year schools. Prior to his departure, Coach Dudley created a culture within the Wake Tech Baseball program of deep work ethic and focus with a family atmosphere that Coach Russ will also cultivate."

While Russ will finish the summer with Forest City, he will begin work immediately to prepare for Wake Tech's 2024-2025 season.