Kierston Russell, the twin sister of Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 18 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, per On3.

Details about Russell’s death were not immediately available, however, the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, which investigates all deaths outside of a hospital setting in Tuscaloosa County, declined to comment, saying the matter was non-criminal, per Tide 100.9.

Keelon Russell confirmed the news after he reposted a message on his Instagram story that offered condolences. He responded with four emojis of hands held in a heart formation. The message read:

“My deepest condolences are with you guys dearly. Losing a twin sister and daughter is a pain that one could never imagine.”

Russell also posted a message to his Instagram story with a pair of hands making a heart. The message from Lovodges Heggins said, “Stay strong for mom. My prayers and Thoughts are with y’all.”

Less than a week ago, the Russell siblings celebrated their graduation from Duncanville High School in Texas, and danced on stage together when they walked across to receive their diplomas. She had joined her brother in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama after recently graduating.

Prior to walking graduating high school, Kierston played basketball for Duncanville. Her final post on Instagram was a picture of her in a Duncanville basketball jersey from 32 weeks ago with the caption “This year personal.”

After hearing the news, many Instagram users and followers of Kierston commented on that post to give their condolences, including Texas edge rusher and Keelon Russell’s high school teammate Colin Simmons.

Alabama baseball coach Rob Vaughn drew interest from jobs around the country, but he’ll be sticking around Tuscaloosa for the 2026 season. UA extended Vaughn’s contract, the Crimson Tide’s NIL collective announced Tuesday night.

Yea Alabama did not release details as to the contract’s length, or Vaughn’s compensation. He had initially signed a five-year deal in 2023 upon arrival in Tuscaloosa, a contract that would pay him $900,000 per year.

Kendall Rogers of D1 Baseball reported that Texas A&M “took a hard look” at Vaughn. The Aggies wound up retaining coach Michael Earley instead of making a change.

Vaughn took over an Alabama team that was reeling following Brad Bohannon’s gambling scandal and firing. He joined up from Maryland, and quickly found success with the Crimson Tide.

The 2025 Alabama squad finished the year 41-18. The Crimson Tide won one game in the SEC Tournament, but went 0-2 in the NCAA Tournament’s Hattiesburg Regional to end the year.

Alabama went 33-24 in Vaughn’s first season. The Tide also made the NCAA Tournament in 2024, though, like 2025, failed to win a tournament game.

Vaughn was named the Big Ten’s coach of the year for two consecutive seasons with Maryland before moving to Alabama. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Kansas State, where he played his college baseball.

Vaughn’s contract still needs to be approved by UA’s board of trustees. The board will meet in Tuscaloosa on Thursday and Friday.

Alabama signee Eric Hines, who slugged American Christian to the Class 5A state title this spring, has been named the Gatorade Alabama baseball player of the year.

Gatorade announced the news Tuesday morning.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Hines hit .438 with 20 home runs, 58 RBIs and 66 runs scored for the Patriots. The Alabama Sports Writers Association named him the Class 5A Player and Hitter of the Year over the weekend.

Hines led ACA to a 34-14-1 record. After dropping the first game of the Class 5A finals to St. Paul’s, the Patriots rallied to sweep the final two games and win the title.

“Eric Hines is a joy to coach because of the many outstanding qualities he brings to the team,” American Christian Academy coach Del Howell said in a Gatorade press release. “He does things that you cannot teach, and he shows up in the biggest moments for his team. He is so consistent and is always striving to be a better player.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year is a top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.

Each player of the year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner.

Hines joins a distinguished list of players to win the award in Alabama, including Bob Jones’ Braden Booth, Oxford’s Hayes Harrison, Pike Liberal Arts’ Drew Nelson, UMS-Wright’s Maddux Bruns and Chilton County’s William Kohn.

The Alabama Sports Writers Association will announce its Mr. Baseball winner on Sunday evening at the group’s annual convention in Jacksonville.