Russell Springmann was added to the USD coaching staff in April of 2015. He joined the Torero staff after a 17-year stint with the University of Texas, including the past 14 years as a full-time assistant coach under former head coach Rick Barnes. The 2016-17 USD campaign will be his second at Alcala Park.
In his 14 seasons as a full-time assistant at UT, Springmann helped the Longhorns post a 334-149 overall record while making 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. Texas made five "Sweet 16" showings during his 14 years, including a trip to the Final Four in 2003 and the "Elite Eight" in both 2006 and 2008. During this stretch, with Springmann playing a key role in Longhorn recruiting, a total of 14 McDonald's All-Americans made their way to UT, including two that would go on to earn National Player of the Year honors in T.J. Ford (2003) and Kevin Durant (2007). In his first three seasons at Texas, Springmann served as an administrative assistant.
"Russell Springmann is one of the most respected coaches in all of college basketball," stated Lamont Smith. "His 17 years of recruiting and coaching experience with the University of Texas will be immensely valuable to myself and the team. Above all, his character and core values are unmatched."
Springmann arrived in Texas after spending two seasons (1996-98) working in the basketball office at the University of Florida. Prior to his stint at Florida, Springmann served four seasons as the boys' varsity coach at Mardela (Md.) High School. He began his coaching career in 1990-91 as an assistant coach at Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Md. He spent two seasons there before accepting the position at Mardela High.
Springmann graduated from Salisbury State in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. A four-year letterwinner in basketball, he served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons. A native of Silver Spring, Md., Springmann and his wife, Neissa, have one son, Durant, and one daughter, Malaine.
