AUBURN, Ala. – Using the coronavirus pandemic to illustrate a principle he teaches, Auburn assistant athletic director for athletic performance Ryan Russell navigates a new normal.
"We're in an unprecedented time right now," said Russell, Auburn's executive director of football. "Things are a little bit different, but as we always say - and I'm a firm believer- the great ones adjust. The main thing right now is the health and safety of the student-athletes."
Under normal circumstances, Auburn would be playing its A-Day game Saturday, with post-spring combine-like tests scheduled for April 23.
Instead, Russell records and sends weekly video instructions to Auburn's football team, along with two workouts: one for the 25-30 percent who have access to a weight room, and another for those who don't.
"I'm a big believer in relative body strength movements like pushups, chin-ups and mastering your own body weight before you ever externally load a student-athlete," he said. "Those movements are always in our program in some capacity."
Russell emphasizes speed work and conditioning while practicing social distancing.
"That's the No. 1 quality they're going to lose first if they don't continue to run fast, change directions and do all of their plyometrics," he said. "That's the great thing about having high-character kids. They want to get better. They're looking for ways to get better.
"I tell the guys all the time, 'Culture is what leads when no one is watching.' That's something we've really tried to work on, having a strong culture, not only down in the weight room but throughout the program."
Practicing what he preaches, Russell is adjusting also, working from home and meeting with coaches via videoconference.
"They always talk about getting comfortable being uncomfortable," he said. "That's definitely taking me out of my comfort zone. That's the only way to grow is when your comfort zone is disturbed. It's been good."
In addition to leading Auburn's athletic performance team, Russell oversees the character development program for the Tigers' midyear enrollees.
"Certain things that are going to help them build this elite edge that we talk about in life," he said. "It all comes down to decisions and behaviors."
The cancellation of spring practice created a teachable moment, Russell said.
"Is football who they are or what they do?" he asked. "If it's totally who you are, you're really struggling right now. At some point, this game is going to end for everybody. They've got to have a plan in place and understand that their whole identity is not tied to this game."
Russell encouraged everyone who's quarantining to exercise. While working from home, he's still practicing a form of two-a-days: morning bike rides and evening interval training, alternating between running and walking.
"Break a sweat every day," he said. "Live to fight another day. Don't put yourself in a compromising situation where you're going to get hurt doing something. During this time, it's about staying active. Enjoying time with the family can go a long way."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer