Oral Roberts fires coach Russell Springmann

Oral Roberts fired head coach Russell Springmann on Friday after compiling a 7-23 record and last-place finish in the Summit League.

"We want to thank Coach Springmann for his devotion to ORU and work over the last seven years to help ORU basketball achieve recognition on a national level. We pray for nothing but the best for Coach Springmann and his family in the future," said Oral Roberts' athletic director Tim Johnson.

Oral Roberts lost in the Summit League tournament opener to UMKC, 73-56, on Wednesday. The Golden Eagles ended the year at the bottom of the Summit League standings with a 3-13 record in the regular season, 10 games behind first-place Omaha.

Springmann, 55, took over as interim coach when Paul Mills was fired in January 2023. He officially became head coach in March 2023 after serving as an assistant coach at ORU since May 2018.

He spent 17 years on staff at the University of Texas with Rick Barnes and also had stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA and at the University of San Diego.

Springmann leaves Oral Roberts with a record of 19-41.

Johnson said a nationwide search for a new coach will begin immediately.

"With the recent proven success, facilities, fan support, and resources available, I could not be more excited and confident about the direction of ORU basketball. All the pieces are in place to continue to consistently compete for championships, NCAA Tournament wins, and build on a phenomenal basketball tradition."

--Field Level Media