Russell Charles realized a greater dream than he dared even hoped for when he was named to the Georgia Tech football staff    by head coach Pepper Rogers.At age 22, Charles became, if not the youngest, certainly one of the country’s youngest fulltime assistants at a major university. Coaching has always been a long- range goal of his. “I talked with Joe Tusa (HISD Athletic Director) when I was in high school and he told me if I ever wanted to coach to come back and see him. “Charles said via telephone from Atlanta last week.

He may not remember it or even me now, but that’s something that has always been on my mind. Something like the Georgia Tech job was beyond imagination. I never dreamed I would be starting out at the major college level. It more than   compensated for the shattered dreams he suffered when he was passed up in the NFL college draft in January.

Charles completed a brilliant high school career at Kashmere in 1971 by competing on the South High School All Star team which trounced the North in a 65-0 upset. He was a two-time all-city selection and was a key member of the Rams 1969 Regional Championship team that went 12-1.

He and Timothy Gray were considered the best cornerbacks in the city in 1970 and was the most sought out players off the Rams 70 team. Gray went on to Texas A&M after a two year stint at Navarro Junior College and was a first round draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals this year.

Charles a two way starter for the Rams, went to UCLA where he played under Coach Pepper Rogers two of the three years in lettered for the Bruins. Last season his senior year, he led the Pac-8 in rushing 763 yards and led Pac-8 in average yard per carry with 5.8 norms.

“Sometimes I think I made a mistake in leaving Texas and going out to California where one had heard of me or was familiar with my talents. I look at Tim and I tell myself that I couldn’t have regressed that much. But then you never know. You can never tell. I’m really glad that something good came out of it. The something good is that fact that Coach Rodgers had so much confidence in Charles knowledge of the Wishbone offense, that he offered the young man the job even though he never applied for it. Charles will have sole responsibility for the running backs. It’s been an intense learning experience, but he admits with a smile that he is in an ideal environment for learning and teaching.

By: Edwin Henry / Post Sports Writer March 25, 1975