University of South Dakota Athletics

Michael Russell begins his second year as an assistant coach for the South Dakota men’s basketball team.

Prior to joining the staff at USD, Russell was a men’s basketball graduate assistant and former student-athlete at Black Hills State University. In his first season as a graduate assistant, the Yellow Jackets posted a 29-6 record, won the South Central Regional Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four.

As a player, Russell helped lead the Yellow Jackets to their first RMAC Regular Season Championship in the 2019-20 season. BHSU also won the RMAC Tournament Championship, South Central Region Tournament Championship and appeared in the NCAA Division II Final Four in the 2021-22 season. Russell also spent time with the strength and condition department as an undergraduate as an intern.