Men's Basketball
Russell, Dan
Dan Russell
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Phone:
- 406.994.2331
Dan Russell completed his third season on Danny’s Sprinkle coaching staff as an assistant and in 2021-22 contributed to the Bobcats’ ascent to the top of the Big Sky Conference.
The Bobcats finished the 2021-22 campaign at 27-8 overall with a trip to the NCAA Tournament. MSU claimed both the Big Sky Conference, regular season and conference tournament titles, signifying just the second time the program has ever achieved the feat and the first time in 26 years.
Russell has helped develop MSU’s guard play, which includes a First Team All-Big Sky season for senior guard Harald Frey in 2019-20. Frey ended his Bobcat career among the top three in program history in games played, free throws, assists, 3-pointers and points. Amin Adamu, who previously played for Russell at the junior college level, became the 40th member of Montana State's career 1,000-point scoring club in 2021-22. Adamu was a Third Team and honorable mention All-Big Sky choice in back-to-back years.
Also part of Montana State’s backcourt was Xavier Bishop. The Springfield, Ill., native was a Third Team selection in 2020-21 then a First Team pick in 2021-22. He also had a hand in RaeQuan Battle’s development as the MSU newcomer in 2021-22 earned Big Sky Top Reserve accolades.
Russell has been a strong recruiter for the Bobcats and his work is evident on the Bobcat roster. Montana State completed an eight-person 2021 signing class with four signings coming during the early signing period. Three of those signees were named their respective state Players of the Year by Max Preps.
The Bobcat assistant coach was recognized by Silver Waves Media during the summer of 2020. Russell was selected one of 50 Impactful Low Major Coaches in Division I Men's Basketball. The list featured coaches among 13 conferences across Division I basketball.
Prior to his arrival in Bozeman, Russell served as the head coach of the Casper College program for the previous six seasons in his hometown of Casper, Wyoming. He led the Thunderbirds to one of their best years in program history during the 2018-19 season, ending the campaign with a 32-3 overall record. Casper College earned its first NJCAA Region IX Championship in 23 years and made an appearance in the NJCAA Division I Championships. Russell was named the region’s coach of the year.
“I think Dan is an unbelievable get for our staff,” Sprinkle said at the time of Russell’s hiring. “He led his team to the national junior college tournament and he’s had unparalleled success at Casper College. He’s had tremendous players and teams there. I’ve recruited his program a lot. I’ve seen his work ethic and seen him coach in practice and games. I think Dan is really hungry.”
Prior to taking the helm of the Thunderbirds, Russell spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Casper College. He raised the Casper College program to new heights when he took over as the Thunderbirds went 145-52 (.736) during his six seasons as head coach.
Casper College won over 20 games every year Russell led the program. He took over the Thunderbirds’ head coaching position at the age of 27, serving at the time as one of the youngest head coaches in the country. His teams made appearances in the Region IX tournament six straight seasons and advanced to two regional championship games.
The Casper native graduated from Natrona County High School. He played two years at Casper College before earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming. While in Laramie, Russell worked on Heath Schroyer’s staff as a graduate assistant. Russell, along with his wife Keisha, son Hayes and daughter Blake, all reside in Bozeman.
The Bobcats finished the 2021-22 campaign at 27-8 overall with a trip to the NCAA Tournament. MSU claimed both the Big Sky Conference, regular season and conference tournament titles, signifying just the second time the program has ever achieved the feat and the first time in 26 years.
Russell has helped develop MSU’s guard play, which includes a First Team All-Big Sky season for senior guard Harald Frey in 2019-20. Frey ended his Bobcat career among the top three in program history in games played, free throws, assists, 3-pointers and points. Amin Adamu, who previously played for Russell at the junior college level, became the 40th member of Montana State's career 1,000-point scoring club in 2021-22. Adamu was a Third Team and honorable mention All-Big Sky choice in back-to-back years.
Also part of Montana State’s backcourt was Xavier Bishop. The Springfield, Ill., native was a Third Team selection in 2020-21 then a First Team pick in 2021-22. He also had a hand in RaeQuan Battle’s development as the MSU newcomer in 2021-22 earned Big Sky Top Reserve accolades.
Russell has been a strong recruiter for the Bobcats and his work is evident on the Bobcat roster. Montana State completed an eight-person 2021 signing class with four signings coming during the early signing period. Three of those signees were named their respective state Players of the Year by Max Preps.
The Bobcat assistant coach was recognized by Silver Waves Media during the summer of 2020. Russell was selected one of 50 Impactful Low Major Coaches in Division I Men's Basketball. The list featured coaches among 13 conferences across Division I basketball.
Prior to his arrival in Bozeman, Russell served as the head coach of the Casper College program for the previous six seasons in his hometown of Casper, Wyoming. He led the Thunderbirds to one of their best years in program history during the 2018-19 season, ending the campaign with a 32-3 overall record. Casper College earned its first NJCAA Region IX Championship in 23 years and made an appearance in the NJCAA Division I Championships. Russell was named the region’s coach of the year.
“I think Dan is an unbelievable get for our staff,” Sprinkle said at the time of Russell’s hiring. “He led his team to the national junior college tournament and he’s had unparalleled success at Casper College. He’s had tremendous players and teams there. I’ve recruited his program a lot. I’ve seen his work ethic and seen him coach in practice and games. I think Dan is really hungry.”
Prior to taking the helm of the Thunderbirds, Russell spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Casper College. He raised the Casper College program to new heights when he took over as the Thunderbirds went 145-52 (.736) during his six seasons as head coach.
Casper College won over 20 games every year Russell led the program. He took over the Thunderbirds’ head coaching position at the age of 27, serving at the time as one of the youngest head coaches in the country. His teams made appearances in the Region IX tournament six straight seasons and advanced to two regional championship games.
The Casper native graduated from Natrona County High School. He played two years at Casper College before earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming. While in Laramie, Russell worked on Heath Schroyer’s staff as a graduate assistant. Russell, along with his wife Keisha, son Hayes and daughter Blake, all reside in Bozeman.
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