By Don Williams | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Eric Russell’s instincts must have been sound. Seven years ago at North Texas, then-Eagles head coach Darrell Dickey offered Russell a reward of sorts: While keeping his regular duties coaching defensive linemen, he could also choose to be either recruiting coordinator or special-teams coordinator.

Evidently, Russell made a good decision, because what he’s done as a special-teams coach opened doors for him. He landed a new gig at Louisiana Tech two years ago and was sought out and hired by Texas Tech two weeks ago.

Not bad for someone whose playing days were spent at quarterback.

Photos - Spring practice for Texas Tech looks more like winter.

“I hadn’t done it,” Russell said of overseeing special teams. “I’d coached a phase. I’m glad I did (choose special-teams coordinator), really, because when things went south at North Texas and they let us go, if it wasn’t for the special-teams background …

“I didn’t know (Louisiana Tech head coach) Derek Dooley, but I got an opportunity. I moved to the offensive side of the ball, but I got the opportunity because of special teams. Same thing here (at Tech). I did it more for long-term career, to maybe have more options.”

Tech coach Mike Leach said when he hired the 41-year-old Russell that Louisiana Tech’s across-the-board performance in special teams was as good as any team’s in the country in 2008. But it was more than just a one-year thing.

While Russell was in charge, North Texas finished top-five in the nation in both punt and kickoff coverage in 2003 and in kickoff-return coverage in 2005. The Mean Green also led the Sun Belt Conference in net punting in 2002 and 2003 and in kickoff returns in 2002.

“We were as impressed with the longevity of it as much as what was accomplished last year,” said Leach, citing Russell’s record as a special-teams coach from 2002-06 at North Texas and from 2007-08 at Louisiana Tech.

Sophomore cornerback Taylor Charbonnet, who stood out on coverage units last year, said Russell has instant credibility with the Red Raiders.

“He knows what he’s doing,” Charbonnet said. “He came here with a system, and it’s going to work. It’s worked at every school he’s been. It’s nice having him just being able to focus on that. He knows his stuff with all the teams.”

Tech had its first two practices of the spring Wednesday and Friday. More than just the players’ first time to see Russell in action, it also was Leach’s. The Tech head coach strayed from his usual way of doing things by hiring a coach with whom he had no past relationship.

Leach said Friday he likes what he’s seen so far.

“I think he’s done a really good job,” Leach said. “He practices at a really high level of intensity, which I like. As we get further into it, those guys will have an awareness of what he expects and I think respond better perhaps than they are right now.”

Russell said Leach has been accommodating, giving him access to whatever players he thinks will be a good fit. Russell also asked to spread a few short special-teams drills throughout workouts rather than one longer period.

“One, I’m going to expect maximum effort out of kids when we’re out there,” he said, “and I think it’s hard to get that if you (work) several teams in a row, because you’re using a lot of the same guys on those teams. I don’t want to kill them.”

As for personnel, Russell said he’d like to see the Red Raiders’ best skill-position defensive players start on at least two special teams, much like what’s been done in the past, and involve wide receivers to improve the speed of the units.

And, while he likes using starters on special teams, he said he won’t mind if a down-the-depth chart type makes a name for himself covering kicks.

“You hope you have one or two guys that their only role is to be dominant special-teams guys,” he said. “They’re not going to play offense, they’re not going to play defense, but they’ve got a role because they can play on all four teams and make things happen.

“A couple of our most productive players at Louisiana Tech never played a down of offense or defense in their time there, but really bought in and embraced the chance they could get in 30, 35 snaps a game through special teams.”

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TEXAS TECH/New assistant coach tries to put his stamp on Red Raiders’ special teams.