Legendary Colerain Coach Ron Russo Dies at 65

Russo led the Colerain girls cross country team to four state titles from 1997 to 2000.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Ron Russo, a former athletic director and legendary cross country coach at Colerain High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, has passed away at the age of 65. Russo was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in May 2023 but continued to inspire his former runners until his death. During his tenure at Colerain, Russo led the girls cross country team to four consecutive state championships from 1997 to 2000 and was inducted into the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame.

Why it matters

Russo's passing marks the end of an era for Colerain athletics and the local running community. As a beloved coach, he mentored countless student-athletes and left an indelible mark on the sport of cross country in Ohio. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of runners.

The details

Russo was a 1979 graduate of Colerain High School, where he and his twin brother, Frank, led the Cardinals to the 1978 Class AAA cross country team title. Russo returned to Colerain in 1990 as the girls cross country coach and led the team to four straight state championships from 1997 to 2000. During his tenure, the Cardinals' teams were ranked as high as third in the nation. Russo also served as Colerain's athletic director from 1992 to 1996 and coached cross country and track and field until 2009, when he moved to McAuley High School. In total, his Colerain teams won 24 district titles, 9 regional crowns, and finished as state runner-up 3 times.

  • Russo was diagnosed with ALS in May 2023.
  • Russo coached the Colerain girls cross country team to four state titles from 1997 to 2000.
  • Russo served as Colerain's athletic director from 1992 to 1996.
  • Russo coached at McAuley High School from 2009 until 2018, when the school merged with Mother of Mercy to become Mercy McAuley.

The players

Ron Russo

A former athletic director and legendary cross country coach at Colerain High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, who passed away at the age of 65 after being diagnosed with ALS in 2023.

Frank Russo

Ron Russo's twin brother, who led the Colerain cross country team to the 1978 Class AAA state championship alongside Ron.

Jason Hussel

A former runner who praised Russo for never letting his ALS diagnosis affect him mentally.

Colerain High School

The high school where Russo coached the girls cross country team to four state championships from 1997 to 2000.

McAuley High School

The high school where Russo coached from 2009 until 2018, when it merged with Mother of Mercy to become Mercy McAuley.

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What they’re saying

“I owe all of my success to him.”

— Jason Hussel, Former runner (cincinnati.com)

The takeaway

Ron Russo's legacy as a beloved and successful cross country coach will continue to inspire the Colerain community and the broader Ohio running scene. His dedication to mentoring student-athletes and his unwavering spirit in the face of ALS have cemented his place as a true legend in the sport.