Russell Burns is starting his second season at Wave on the Boy's side. He previously coached two years for Shock Volleyball Club.  While at Shock his 16 Boy's team reached the Junior Olympics. Last season he was the Head Boy's Varsity Volleyball Coach for the San Dieguito Academy.

Burns playing experience started at La Costa Canyon High Volleyball and Seaside VBC. While at Seaside his teams placed 5th twice and 3rd once at the Junior Olympics.  After graduating from LCC, Russell was recruited to the University of Hawaii as an OP/OH, but decided to come back to California after his first semester and attend Santa Monica City College. During his time at SMCC, Burns earned First Team All-Conference Honors two years in a row while helping is team to the State Playoffs each season. Russell then earned a scholarship at UC Irvine to play under Coach John Speraw.  During his first year with the team a shoulder injury ended his competitive career. Russell graduated from UCI in 2011 with a BA in Social Ecology.

Burns currently works for the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation (urging us all to recycle, compost and garden) as an Environmental Educator in the Greater San Diego Area.