Russ Carney Position: Associate Head Coach Experience: MSU: Fifth; All: 30 Alma Mater: Ball State, 1978

Russ Carney is in his fifth season at Michigan State following 11 years at Western Michigan, where he served as an assistant under head coach Cathy George. Carney, was promoted to Associate Head Coach on June 19, 2008.

Carney focuses on recruiting and working with the blockers on the court for the Spartans. Vanessa King is one of just many student-athletes that have thrived under the tutelage of Carney. King ranks as one of the most efficient hitters in school history and was arguably one of the best middle blockers in the Big Ten last season. In fact, Carney was a prime reason that King was selected to the All-Big Ten First Team last season and to the All-Big Ten Freshman team in 2006.

Carney's efforts do not stop on the court. Over the last several seasons, Carney has spearheaded the recruitment efforts at Michigan State. He played an instrumental role in assembling the top recruiting class in Michigan State history heading into 2008. He helped recruit Big Ten All-Freshman Team member Natalie Emro. He also helped in the signing Becca Zlabis, who ranks among the MSU freshmen elite in several categories, Carli Weiler - the fourth-ranked libero prospect out of high school - and other additions to the Spartans roster. Those student-athletes, among others, are the reason that MSU's 2007 class was ranked as the seventh-best class in the nation and the top class in the Big Ten.

Carney also coordinates various other coaching duties throughout the season. Working with a state-of-the-art video system, Carney is in charge of scouting and video breakdown of opponents. Carney also helps the student-athletes by serving as the academic coordinator on the coaching staff.

"Russ and I have worked so well together and had great success throughout the past 16 years," said George. "He and I worked together for 11 years at Western Michigan and I really feel that having that kind of continuity is a strength for the Spartan program. I believe we complement each other very well in our coaching styles. We are able to maximize different areas on the bench and in practice."

A Tunkhannock, Pa., native, Carney started his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Mich., in 1978. He assumed the head coaching duties at KCC in 1980 and promptly guided the Bruins to the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship that year.

Carney went on to serve as an assistant coach at Wisconsin in 1981 before he was named head coach of the Badgers in 1982, where he remained until 1984. During his stint at Wisconsin, Carney served as head coach of the 1981 U.S. Olympic Festival Men's East Team, guiding that squad to the Gold medal. He was a member of both the NCAA Midwest Regional and Big Ten Conference officiating committees.

A setter in college, Carney attended Kellogg Community College (1973-74) before transferring to Ball State University (1976). He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from BSU in 1978.

Russ and his wife, Sherry, have a daughter, Jessica, 20, and a son, Branden, 17, and reside in Battle Creek, Mich.