The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men's Basketball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
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 '90
Wife: Neissa
14th season as Assistant Coach | 16th season at Texas
Russell Springmann enters his 14th season as a full-time assistant coach at The University of Texas and his 17th year in association with Rick Barnes.
In his first 13 years as a full-time assistant at UT, Springmann has helped the Longhorns post a 314-135 (.699) record while making 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. Texas has made five “Sweet 16” showings during his 13 years, including a trip to the Final Four in 2003 and the “Elite Eight” in both 2006 and 2008.
During this stretch, a total of 14 McDonald’s All-Americans have made their way to the UT campus (T.J. Ford, 2001; Brad Buckman, 2002; LaMarcus Aldridge, 2004; Daniel Gibson, 2004; Mike Williams, 2004; D.J. Augustin, 2006; Kevin Durant, 2006; Jai Lucas, 2007; Avery Bradley, 2009; Cory Joseph, 2010; Tristan Thompson, 2010; Myck Kabongo, 2011; Cameron Ridley, 2012; Myles Turner, 2014).
UT’s three-man recruiting class in 2014 featured McDonald’s All-American Myles Turner (No. 2 recruit by ESPN), No. 86-ranked prospect Jordan Barnett and transfer Shaquille Cleare, who was rated the No. 30 prospect in 2012 by ESPN. Texas’ six-man freshman class in 2012 was ranked No. 4 nationally by ESPN, while UT’s six-man freshman class in 2011 was tabbed the No. 4 recruiting class in the nation by ESPN. Despite a group that numbered only two, UT’s class of Joseph and Thompson in 2010 was ranked as the No. 8 recruiting class in the country by ESPN. Texas’ three-man freshman class in 2009 was ranked No. 3 nationally by Rivals.com and No. 4 by ESPNU. 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. Texas’ five-man freshman class in 2004 featured three McDonald’s All-Americans (Aldridge, Gibson and Williams) and was tabbed the No. 1 class in the nation by Clark Francis’ Hoop Scoop.
UT climbed to the top of both major national polls (Associated Press, USA Today Coaches) on Jan. 11, 2010, marking the first time in program history that the Horns had been the top-ranked team in the nation in either major poll. Texas held the top spot in both polls for a two-week stretch. UT set a school record for most wins in a season (31-7) in 2007-08. While using a starting rotation of four freshmen and a sophomore in 2006-07, the Horns posted a 25-10 mark and advanced to the NCAA Second Round. In 2005-06, Texas registered a 30-7 record and advanced to the NCAA “Elite Eight.”
Texas is the only school in the country that can claim two National Player of the Year winners in the last 12 years, T.J. Ford (2003) and Kevin Durant (2007). UT has had three consensus first-team All-Americans during Springmann’s time as an assistant (T.J. Ford in 2003, Kevin Durant in 2007 and D.J. Augustin in 2008), and Augustin claimed the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard in 2008.
Texas has had 14 players drafted in the 13 years under Springmann, including nine first-round selections and five lottery picks in T.J. Ford, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Durant, D.J. Augustin and Tristan Thompson. With three first-round selections in 2011, Texas has produced eight first-round picks over the last nine years (dating back to the 2006 NBA Draft). Both Aldridge (2006) and Durant (2007) were selected as the No. 2 overall picks in their respective drafts. In fact, UT became the first school to have a Top Two pick in consecutive NBA Drafts since DePaul in 1981-82.
When Augustin was selected as the No. 9 pick by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2008 NBA Draft, it completed quite a three-year run for the Longhorns at the Draft. Texas was the only school in the nation to have a Top 10 pick in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 NBA Drafts. In fact, UT became just the fourth school since 1985 (when the current draft lottery system was implemented) to produce a lottery pick in three consecutive years. Georgia Tech (1989-91), Duke (1992-95) and Connecticut (2004-06) previously accomplished the feat.
Three Longhorns heard their names called in the first round of the NBA Draft for the first time in school history in 2011. Tristan Thompson was selected with the No. 4 pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jordan Hamilton was taken with the No. 26 pick by the Dallas Mavericks, and his rights were later traded to the Denver Nuggets. Cory Joseph was taken with the No. 29 pick by the San Antonio Spurs.
The 2011 Draft marked the second straight year and third time in school history that the Horns had three players selected in the same draft. UT also had three players selected during the 2010 NBA Draft. Avery Bradley was selected with the No. 19 pick by the Boston Celtics. Damion James was taken with the No. 24 pick by the Atlanta Hawks, and his rights were later traded to the New Jersey Nets. Dexter Pittman was chosen with the No. 32 pick (second selection in the second round) by the Miami Heat. Aldridge, P.J. Tucker (No. 35 pick by Toronto) and Daniel Gibson (No. 42 pick by Cleveland) were taken during the 2006 NBA Draft.
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 16 years in Austin, the Longhorns have made 15 trips to the NCAA Tournament while posting a 382-166 (.697) record. UT also set a school record by recording 13 straight 20-win seasons (1999-2000 through 2011-12).
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, have one son, Durant (born Jan. 16, 2011), and one daughter, Malaine (born May 9, 2013).
