The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Assistant Coach Russell Springmann
02.25.2005 | Men's Basketball
Full name: Keith Russell Springmann
Date of birth: Sept. 24, 1969
Hometown: Silver Spring, Md.
High school: Paint Branch HS (Silver Spring, Md.)College: Salisbury State 1990
Wife: Neissa
7th season at Texas
Russell Springmann enters his seventh season as a full-time assistant coach at The University of Texas and his 10th year in association with Rick Barnes.
In his first six years as a full-time assistant at UT, Springmann has helped the Longhorns post a 148-55 (.729) record while making four NCAA "Sweet 16" appearances, including a trip to the Final Four in 2003 and the "Elite Eight" in 2006. The 148 wins are the most victories in a six-year period in school history. During this stretch, the Longhorns also have signed seven McDonald's All-Americans (T.J. Ford, 2001; Brad Buckman, 2002; LaMarcus Aldridge, 2004; Daniel Gibson, 2004; Mike Williams, 2004; D.J. Augustin, 2006; Kevin Durant, 2006). UT's seven-man freshman class in 2006 was tabbed the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.
During the 2006-07 season, the Horns replaced their entire starting lineup from the year before and, despite playing with four freshmen and a sophomore in the starting rotation, recorded a 25-10 mark, ranked No. 11 in the final AP poll and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. UT's seven-man freshman class featured a pair of McDonald's All-Americans in point guard D.J. Augustin and swingman Kevin Durant. All Durant did was step in and earn consensus National Player of the Year honors, becoming the first freshman in NCAA history to win any National Player of the Year award. Augustin ranked fourth nationally in assists (6.7 apg) and earned honorable mention All-America honors by The Associated Press.
In his first three seasons at Texas, Springmann served as an administrative assistant. In that role, he supervised the film exchange process, assisted in on-campus recruiting and played a major role in organizing summer camp administration.
During his nine years in Austin, the Longhorns have made a school-record nine consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament while posting a 216-86 (.715) record. The 216 wins mark the most number of victories in a nine-year period in school history. UT also set a school record by recording its eighth straight 20-win season in 2006-07.
Springmann came to Texas after spending two seasons (1996-97 and 1997-98) working in the basketball office at the University of Florida. While with the Gators, he also served as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach.
Prior to his stint at Florida, Springmann served four seasons as the boys' varsity coach at Mardela (Md.) High School. Inheriting a program that had won just three games in the three years prior to his arrival, he led the team to a playoff win and a state regional semifinal appearance during the 1993-94 season. For his efforts,
Springmann earned Bayside Conference Coach of the Year and Mason-Dixon Coach of the Year honors. Springmann began his coaching career in 1990-91 as an assistant coach at Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Md. He worked as an assistant for two seasons 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. He also earned recognition as the school's Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1989-90.
Born Sept. 24, 1969, he is a native of Silver Spring, Md. Springmann and his wife, Neissa, reside in Austin.
