Russell Dove has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award at the recent NCHSAA Regional Meeting in Fayetteville. As the head football coach at South Columbus High School, Dove is recognized for his unwavering commitment to the holistic development of his players both on and off the field. Raised in the Center Road Community near Bladenboro, North Carolina, Dove’s athletic prowess shone through in football, baseball, and basketball during his time at Bladenboro High School.
After a successful athletic career at Elon College and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he earned a degree in Parks and Recreation Management, Dove transitioned into a teaching role at West Columbus High School. Achieving National Board Certification in 2007, he later assumed the position of head football coach at West Bladen High School before joining South Columbus High School in 2016.
Since taking the helm as head football coach at South Columbus High, Dove has established himself as a pillar of the community, prioritizing the physical and mental growth of his players while instilling values of discipline, hard work, and perseverance. Married to Billie for two decades, the Doves, along with their sons Alex and Cole, actively engage in the Western Prong Baptist Church, where faith holds a central place in their lives. For Dove, the mantra of “God, family, and football” underscores the core principles guiding his interactions with students and athletes, nurturing the next generation of leaders at South Columbus High School with dedication and passion.
