Wisconsin Badgers football have found a new Director of Player personnel in Ethan Russo and fans instantly love him because of one simple move that is not football related yet.
Russo will come to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to fulfill the same role he had with North Texas Mean Green. He was the Mean Green’s assistant director of player personnel before getting the main job in 2024.
He will replace well-loved former General Manager Max Stienecker, who is now working an executive role with the USC Trojans.
Wisconsin is expected to hire North Texas’ Ethan Russo as its director of player personnel, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.
Was promoted to DPP at North Texas last year after initially being hired as an assistant DPP. Before UNT, he worked at Utah and as the DPP at UNLV.… pic.twitter.com/e72Iy9P52G
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) March 22, 2025
Not even a day has passed since his hiring but the young Russo is already making an effective move to win the hearts of the Badgers fans. He did this by putting the Badgers on his X bio and changing his header into a photo of the Badgers stadium.
His X username also now has “UW” on the URL.
Ethan Russo’s tough job with Wisconsin Badgers
A director of player personnel is in charge of the team’s recruiting and player development. He also oversees scouting, search talent and talent evaluation, and making sure that they are complying with league rules.
The part about talent evaluation is probably the most important right now for the Badgers given the way they ended the 2024 season. Although it should be mentioned, too, that they are also involved in a bitter legal battle with one of their former players.
Some talent decided to enter the transfer portal and they need to stock up on new quality players.
The team continues to be an attractive destination for many high school players because of its history.
Russo will be busy. Work starts now.
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