Head Coach Kurt Russell enters his seventh year at the helm of the Western Oklahoma baseball program with a career record of 248-107 (.700 win.%) at the school.  His reputation for developing hitters and being able to turn programs into championship contenders, through discipline and a blue collar style of play, has followed Russell to Western. Russell has been able to see many milestones during his time in Altus including the program's first Region II Championship, Southwest District Championship, World Series appearance, 50 win season, and National Player of the Year. This level of success and the personal relationship with his players is what keeps drawing some of the country's top talent to Western Oklahoma State College.

Under the guidance of Russell, Western Oklahoma St. baseball reached new heights in a record setting year in 2008 and 2009. The team set a school record for wins going 53-12 in a season that culminated in Western's second trip in a row to the NJCAA Div. II World Series. Russell was named both Region II and Southwest District Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2009. Offensively the Pioneers would lead the country in Batting Average (.403/2008-.402/2009), Homeruns (145/2008-143/2009), and Stolen Bases (191) while attaining (777/2008-757/2009) hits which is the most in NJCAA Div. II history. The 2008 and 2009 team featured five All Americans and had five players drafted. Juan Carlos Perez would rise from obscurity to break the NJCAA Div. II national records for Single Season Homeruns (37) and Single Season RBI's (102) while being named National Player of the Year. Randolph Oduber made a run at Perez hitting (32) homeruns and (98) RBI's and was named an All American both Perez and Oduber were selected in the MLB draft by San Fransico. Western also in 2008 and 2009 had All American Pitcher/Outfeilder Danny Almonte career stats (16-1/ .483avg 32 HR 153RBI)who Russell claims to be one of the best all around junior college players to have played the game. Russell Had several other key players  to name a few Wilsisky Baez (Whichita State) Batting Average (.435/2008) RBI's (78) Runs Scored (90) Stolen bases (40) Home Runs (22) and Chase Phillips(2008) Innings Pitched (78) Strike outs (81) Win-Loss(10-3) and was selected in the MLB draft by Baltimore. One last player who Russell can't say enough about Thomas McAlpine(West Texas A&m) his stat line (2008- .426avg 7hr 39rbi/ 2009- .468avg 13hr 71rbi).

The 2004 edition of the Pioneers helped to put Western baseball back on the map after posting a 38-14 record, a #9 National Ranking, and finishing second in the ever-tough Region II. The team featured six All Regional performers including 1st Team All American Larry Johnson Batting Average (.470) RBI's (80) Homeruns (7).

 As an encore to the 2004 team, history was made as Western won their first ever Regional Championship in school history during the 2005 season.  Russell was named Region II Coach of the Year for the team’s efforts.  The team finished 40-21 for the year and ended one game short of the NJCAA World Series.  A total of five players off of the 2005 team would go on to play professionally, including 1st Team All American Manny Paula Batting Average (.490) Home Runs (20) Stolen Bases (22). Also playing with Paula was high school teammate All American Fidel Rodriguez Batting Average(.446) Home Runs (16).

The 2006 Pioneers featured two top 20 round draft picks as they received the highest National Ranking in school history at #4.  Once again the Pioneers found themselves deep into postseason play as they finished as Region II Runner Ups.

For the fourth consecutive year, Western finished with a winning season and were ranked as high as 19^th nationally in 2007.                     

Other notable players who have played at Western during Russell's tenure have been Brian Capps of South Lake Texas who went on to play at Texas Tech and later drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. Angel Castro who was a 13th round draft of the Detroit Tigers who is now playing AA ball with the Tampa Bay Rays. Luis Uribe who played for Russell in 2009 who signed at Oklahoma State University. Juilian Alvarez who went to Lee University a NAIA power house were he was and 2 time All American and later signed with the San Diego Padres. Cody Pearce one of Russell's best players who plays for the Hall of Fame Coach Mike Metheny of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. David Waslyak after Western played at NAIA power house and 2009 World Champion. Also All Americans Rob Rodriguez (Rodgers State University) and Jose Cuevas(Lee University).

Prior to coming to Western, Russell was the Head Coach at Ayer High School in Ayer, Massachusetts.  After years without putting a winning baseball team on the field, Ayer H.S. would go on to post an overall record of 40-20 in Russell’s three years.  In 2001, Ayer would go on to win the school’s first conference championship in 33 years.

As a player, Russell played two years at Western where he earned All Region honors for his efforts under current Western Athletic Director Bob Pearson.  He also went on to play under the legendary Gary Vaught at the University of Indianapolis where the team would go on to set school records for wins, homeruns, and stolen bases en route to a 46-17 record and a #4 National Ranking.  He finished his collegiate career at Phillips University.  Russell went on to earn a B.S. in Health & Fitness Education from Madison University. Coach Russell is married to the former Priscilla Lopez of Olustee, OK. The couple has two young boys, Isaiah (9) and Craig who was born on September 15, 2008.