Russ is also enamored with the Saints' defensive scheme. Milmoe has incorporated a more new-school and creative look intertwined with various schemes.
Milmoe is excited having a player of Russ' ability in his inaugural season as head coach, replacing Chick Meehan.
"(Offensively) he will handle the playbook, run and passing the football," said Milmoe. "Defensively, he can come down after the ball. We need him to be our stud player.
"Can we survive without him being that type? Yes, we can. But we can't be a great team without him. We need him to beat the caliber of teams in the MAC."
Russ said the Saints have a goal of winning the Mid Atlantic Conference and thinks they are getting better every day in practice and could be a better team.
"We just have to keep on working and get better every day," said Russ, who also is a basketball standout for the Saints."
But it will also take the other iron men to solidify the Saints.
"When I first looked at the numbers, I thought of that theme," said Milmoe. "An ironman doesn't complain, doesn't put himself first and is mentally tough."
As much of an adjustment as it is for the Saint James players to work under a new coach, it's a new world for Milmoe, who came from Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn.
"These kids here have been so well-coached in the past that it has helped in the transition," said Milmoe. "They're good kids. I've had a warm welcome. I wanted to accept the new challenge of being a head coach for the first time. Now, it's getting familiar with how the Saint James community works."
