Bio

Russell McCarvel begins his 6th season with the Blue Hawks coach in 2022, his fourth as offensive coordinator. In three seasons as the offensive coordinator Dickinson State has not lost a conference game. The Blue Hawk Offense has led the conference in both Points/Game and Yards each season including 2021 where the Blue Hawks set a school record by averaging 39.4 points per game. Following the 2022 season he was named North Star Assistant Coach of the Year.  

Russell got his start at the collegiate level at Carroll College where he served as the Saint’s running backs coach. During his time as a Saint, McCarvel helped assist the 2005 Carroll College Football team to a NAIA National Championship finish. This was the saints 4^th consecutive National Championship Title and they ended the season with a perfect record of 14-0.  

McCarvel will enter into his 38th year of coaching. He has experience as an Offensive Coordinator, Defensive Coordinator, and Passing Game Coordinator.  

Prior to coming to DSU Russell was the offensive coordinator for Helena Capital High School in Helena, MT. While he was there, he was able to assist in making 3 consecutive Class-AA Semi-Final appearances. From 2007-2013, McCarvel was the head coach for Flathead High School where he managed to make 3 playoff appearances and was able to work with future 2^nd round NFL draft pick Quarterback, Brock Osweiler. Prior to Kalispell, MT, McCarvel was the head football coach for Dawson County High School for 5 years. McCarvel’s Montana roots run deep throughout the state having also coached in Laurel, Glasgow, and Malta, Montana. 

McCarvel graduated Montana State University with his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and continued on to earn his master’s degree from Lesley University in 2001. 

He resides in Dickinson, ND with his wife Jacki. They have two adult sons. Robert is a West Point Graduate and is currently stationed at Schofield Barracks in O'ahu, Hawaii. Conor, a WR and Captain for the Blue Hawks, and his wife Allie both graduated from Dickinson State and live in Scottsdale AZ.