Savannah State University Athletics

Following a promotion to co-offensive coordinator in 2019, Russell DeMasi helped lead one of the most successful offensives in Savannah State football history.
 
The 2019 Tigers posted an historic 7-3 overall record—the first winning schedule since 1998. In the program’s first year of competition back in NCAA Division II and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), the Tigers recorded an incredible 5-0 conference record.
 
The Tiger’s offense under DeMasi’s leadership—showcasing an old-school option offense—set new school records in a number of categories during the 2019 season. DeMasi was hired at Savannah State in 2015 as a quarterbacks coach.

He came to Savannah State from Shorter University. During the 2013 season, he was a graduate assistant and worked with the quarterbacks and running backs.  During the 2014 season, he served as co-special teams coordinator.

The Savannah, Georgia native was a member of the Georgia Southern University football team from 2008-2012, where he went from being a preferred walk-on to earning a scholarship during his senior year. He was named Scout Team Player of the Year in 2011.

DeMasi earned his bachelor's degree in 2012 from Georgia Southern in general studies with a concentration in education, coaching and business. He earned his master's degree from Shorter in December 2014.

While in high school, DeMasi was the 2006 and 2007 All-Greater Savannah first-team selection at quarterback. DeMasi was 20-5 as a starter, and lead SCPS to the second round of the Class AA playoffs in 2006 and 2007.

He is the son of Karl DeMasi, who now serves as athletics director and head basketball coach at Islands High School in Savannah. Karl has served as head coach in football, basketball and baseball at various Savannah schools since 1995.
 
 
Full Name:
Russell John DeMasi
Education:
Georgia Southern ’12, Shorter University ‘14
Playing Experience:
Georgia Southern University, 2008-20012
Coaching Experience:
Shorter University, 2013-2014 | Graduate Assistant Coach, Quarterbacks and Running Backs Coach
Savannah State University, 2015-2019 | Quarterbacks Coach
Savannah State University, 2019-Present | Co-Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks and Running Backs Coach
Favorite Athlete:
Derek Jeter
Favorite Food:
Pizza
Favorite Leader:
Jurgen Klopp