Bio

Darren Russell enters his 17th season as Huskies head coach.

Hailing from Truro Nova Scotia, Darren took over as Huskies head coach in 2009-10, after eight seasons as an assistant. Over Darren's 16 seasons as head coach, the Huskies have a 192-104 regular season record (64.9% winning percentage) and have made the AUS finals in 11 of his 16 seasons, capturing four AUS Championships (2025-26, 2024-25, 2011-12, 2009-10). Darren has been named AUS Coach of the Year three times (2021-22, 2011-12, 2010-11).

Darren has been a head coach at the club and college level and was the head coach for the Nova Scotia Women's Canada Game team that captured 4th place in 2009. Darren has partially completed his level 4 certification and continues to be one of the leading women's volleyball coaches in the Atlantic Region.

Russell has coached three U SPORTS Major Award Winners, 10 U SPORTS All-Canadians, five U SPORTS All-Rookie Team selections, and many AUS Award Winners and All-Stars.

U SPORTS / CIS Major Award Winners

• Madison Hann (2023-24 Thérèse Quigley Award)
• Hannah Stienburg (2018-19 Thérèse Quigley Award)
• Anastasia Callaghan (2012-13 CIS Libero of the Year)

U SPORTS / CIS All-Canadians:

• Emilia Mikanovich (2025-26, 2024-25)
• Olivia Bell (2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22)
• Rachel Windhorst (2014-15)
• Kerri Smit (2011-12, 2010-11, 2009-10)
• Ariel Smith (2012-13)

U SPORTS / CIS All-Rookie Selections:

• Taylor Lougheed (2022-23)
• Olivia Bell (2018-19)
• Elly Prince (2014-15)
• Rachel Windhorst (2013-14)
• Josie Leduc (2012-13)

AUS Major Award Winners:

• Emilia Mikanovich (2025-26, 2024-25 Most Valuable Player & Championship Most Valuable Player)
• Taylor Lougheed (2025-26 Student-Athlete Community Service Award)
• Grace Blaskovits (2024-25 Rookie of the Year)
• Olivia Bell (2023-24 Most Valuable Player & 2018-19 Rookie of the Year)
• Madison Hann (2023-24 Student-Athlete Community Service Award)
• Hannah Stienburg (2018-19 & 2017-18 Student-Athlete Community Service Award)
• Rachel Windhorst (2014-15 Most Valuable Player & 2013-14 Rookie of the Year
• Anastasia Callaghan (2013-14, 2012-13 & 2011-12 Libero of the Year)
• Josie LeDuc (2012-13 Rookie of the Year)
• Ariel Smith (2012-13 Most Valuable Player)
• Kerri Smit (2011-12 & 2010-11 Most Valuable Player)