Russell Jacoway decided he wanted to be a football coach while in the eighth grade at Collinsville High School. The town of Sand Rock could not have been happier he made the decision early in life. Following high school he graduated from Auburn University before embarking on his coaching career.

In 1983 Jacoway accepted the head coaching position at Sand Rock where for the next 31 seasons he has served the school as their coach.

His third team (1985) won the Class 1A State Championship with a 14-6 win over Repton in the title game. They outscored their opponents 400-53. His 1997 team reached the finals before losing to Luverne 51-14 in the championship game.

He won his 200th game Oct. 29, 2009 by defeating Spring Garden 30-0.

Coach Jacoaways record at Sand Rock stands at 228-132. His teams qualified for the playoffs a total of 24 times and won 12 region championships along the way. His region record of 104-61 ranks high in the win column among the all-time greats in the state.

He left the sidelines following the 2014 season as one of the winningest coaches in state history.

Jacoway was named Coach of the Year by the ASWA in 1985 and 1997.