Sept. 8, 2006

STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) - Erk Russell, who led Georgia's "Junkyard Dawg" defense under Vince Dooley and then built a small-college powerhouse of his own at Georgia Southern, died Friday after a car accident, a hospital official said. He was 80.

Russell was brought by ambulance to the Statesboro hospital and pronounced dead on arrival, East Georgia Regional Medical Center chief executive Bob Bigley said. Bigley said Russell's death was not from injuries related to the wreck, adding the examination is not complete.

Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Chris Lacienski said Russell had been in a single-vehicle accident Friday morning.

Russell came to prominence during 17 years as Georgia's defensive coordinator. He left the Bulldogs after their 1980 national championship to build Georgia Southern's first football team since 1941. He won Division I-AA championships in 1985, '86 and '89.

Russell retired after winning the last title, but remained close to the school until a falling-out with former coach Mike Sewak two years ago. Russell cut all ties to Georgia Southern after his son, Rusty, was fired as the defensive coordinator.

Sewak was dismissed after last season, and Russell again became a presence on the Georgia Southern campus with the encouragement of new coach Brian VanGorder, another former defensive coordinator at Georgia.

Russell spoke to the team Thursday, school spokesman Patrick Osterman said. The Eagles open their season Saturday night against Central Connecticut.