More than 2,000 fans, former players and coaches streamed into Paulson Stadium for Russell's funeral two days after he died at 80 of an apparent stroke. Mourners ranged from local fans in ballcaps and T-shirts to Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Glory, Georgia Southern's eagle mascot, sat on a perch by the goal posts, near the flagpole where Russell's three championship banners swayed in the breeze.

``Our grief, our tears, our hurt and our shock is because he was taken from us so suddenly, without warning,'' said the Rev. Claude McBride, chaplain for the Georgia Bulldogs during Russell's tenure. ``We thought he was invincible. No one is.''

As defensive coordinator during his 17 years at Georgia, Russell would smash his bald forehead into players' helmets until he bled.

He came to Georgia Southern in 1982 and launched the school's first football program since the 1940s from an office in a trailer. Many predicted failure, but Russell racked up NCAA Division I-AA championships in 1985, '86 and '89.

``I don't know if heaven has a football team. But if it does, they just got the coach they need,'' said Bruce Yawn, who played offensive line when Russell was at Georgia and now owns Snooky's restaurant in Statesboro, one of Russell's favorite hangouts.

Speakers gave their eulogies from a podium at the 50-yard line while Russell's wife, Jean, sons Rusty and Jay and other family members sat under a green tent to the side.

``This is the fitting place,'' said Vince Dooley, under whom Russell coached Georgia's defense. ``It couldn't have been any better unless you had one (service) here and one at Sanford Stadium'' in Athens.

He coached players spanning two generations, yet they all remembered Russell's talent for motivation with quirky nicknames and catchphrases. He dubbed his Georgia defense the ``Junkyard Dawgs,'' a monicker that sticks today.

The drainage ditch behind the Georgia Southern's practice fields became ``Beautiful Eagle Creek,'' and Russell would take its water in a milk jug to road games and sprinkle it on the opposing team's field like a magic elixir.

He would tell his players to simply ``do right,'' and to ``just play one more time.''

Russell's remains were cremated. After the outdoor service, his family held a private reception at the Gene Bishop Field House outside the end zone. Former players gathered afterward on the field for one last huddle to say goodbye.

``Coach Russell was more than a coach,'' said Fred Stokes, a member of Russell's first team in 1982 who later played in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Rams. ``He was like a father figure to a lot of us.''

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)