Jamarcus Russell loses coaching job, accused of pocketing $74K donation

Jamarcus Russell, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NFL draft, lost his coaching job at Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, last fall.

The former quarterback now faces a lawsuit after a booster accused him of stealing a $74,000 donation check.

Russell was a volunteer assistant coach at the high school, though Mobile County Public School officials say he was fired during last fall’s football season. 

School officials did not specify why they fired Russell, citing a privacy policy regarding personnel decisions.

Alabama business owner Chris Knowles told WKRG Sports that he wrote a $74,000 check for the school and gave it to Russell. The money was meant to provide new workout equipment for the football team.

Russell deposited the check at the Navigator Credit Union and withdrew $55,000, according to a lawsuit filed by the financial institution. The football team never saw the money.

In addition to the lawsuit, Russell has been barred from Williamson’s campus. School officials told the former NFL quarterback to leave after he tried to attend an event for the school’s football team last week.

“Earlier this week, it was reiterated to Mr. Russell that he is not permitted to be around the football program or on school campus,” the school district said in a statement to WKRG on Friday.

Russell played three seasons for the Oakland Raiders and is widely considered one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. The Alabama native started 25 games for the Raiders, recording 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions before he was released.