Russ began his playing career with his home town club of FC Langenwang and later moved on to Kapfenberger SV.

During his professional club career he played for First Vienna, FC Swarovski Tirol and LASK Linz.

Under Josef Hickersberger's management of the Austrian national side, Russ was an almost permanent fixture appearing in the starting line ups of 27, out of a possible 31, internationals.

[1] Hickersberger's departure issued in the era of Alfred Riedl as national coach, which saw a decline in Russ's use.

More recently he has been the trainer with SC Schwanenstadt and from the summer of 2007 until March 2008 he was head coach of Vorwärts Steyr.