Russell Pederson graduated from Mankato State University with a bachelor's degree in education in 1961.

He began his teaching and coaching career in Houston, Minnesota, where he taught woodshop, welding, small engine repair, and even driver's education. Russ also coached football, baseball, track, wrestling and golf. He eventually settled on football and wrestling, where he helped the Hurricanes become extremely competitive on the mat in an area of the country with a strong wrestling tradition.

Following a visit to San Antonio, Texas in the middle of a Minnesota winter, Russ and his family set their sights on moving to a warmer climate.

Russ became the woodworking teacher in the North East Independent School District in 1979 and continued in that role until 2002. He taught at Eisenhower and Wood middle schools before going to work at his beloved Madison High School. Russ coached almost every sport, but his favorite was high school wrestling. Pouring his heart and soul into his wrestlers, he not only influenced them on the mat, but also in life.

Pederson took what was a club sport with only a few wrestlers and made it into a force to be reckoned with. Coach and Mrs. P (his wife Sharyl) worked with a small group of people that were on a mission to get high school wrestling to go University Interscholastic League.

Russell and Sheryl were both honored for their dedication and committment when they received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Texas Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006.