Erk Russell dead

STATESBORO - Former Georgia Southern head football coach Erk Russell died Friday in Statesboro after a car accident.

East Georgia Regional Medical Center CEO Bob Bigley says Russell was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Statesboro about 9:10 a.m. and was pronounced dead on arrival.

He says Russell's death was not from injuries related to the wreck.

Bigley says speculation is that Russell may have had a stroke.

Russell earned national prominence during 17 years as the University of Georgia's defensive coordinator. He moved to Georgia Southern to build the school's first football team since 1941. He won Division I-AA championships in 1985, '86 and '89.