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Texas State second-year assistant coach Russell Vanlandingham has been a winner every where he has been. Prior to joining the Texas State staff, Vanlandingham had been a part of programs which had combined to post a 211-89 record (.703) in 11 seasons.
In his first season on the Texas State staff, he helped the Bobcats triple their win total from the previous season. He was also part of a staff which hauled in an early signing class which included four of the top 40 prep players in the state of Texas and one of the most prolific scorers in junior college basketball history.
He joined the Texas State staff from his alma mater, McMurry University where he was the Indians' top assistant for the 2005-06 season. He was responsible for implementing an offense which saw the Indians average 97.2 points per game, which ranked sixth in NCAA Division III. McMurry was 18-9 last year, 16-6 in the American Southwest Conference and advanced to the semifinals of the ASC Tournament.
The 2005-06 season at McMurry marked Vanlandingham's second stint on the coaching staff of his alma mater. He was an assistant coach at McMurry for six seasons (1995-2001) after concluding a four-year playing career at the Abilene school.
Prior to the 2005-06 season, Vanlandingham was an assistant coach at West Texas A&M for four seasons (2001-05). He helped the Buffaloes to three Lone Star Conference tournament appearances and a 2003 conference title. West Texas A&M was the 2005 LSC tournament runner-up. During Vanlandingham's tenure at West Texas A&M, where he also served as recruiting coordinator, the Buffaloes were 71-44 (.617). He also taught in the WTAMU Physical Education Department.
During his first run with the Indians, Vanlandingham helped the program to a 122-36 record (.772), five postseason appearances, four ASC West Division titles, two ASC championships and back-to-back berths in the NCAA Division III national tournament. He played a major role in the development of three of McMurry's six NCAA All-Americans during his tenure including Daniel Martinez, who ranks third in NCAA Division III career steals with 380.
As a player on McMurry's basketball team in the mid-1990s, Vanlandingham earned All-Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association honors as a guard and was a member of the Indians' 1993-94 team, which advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NAIA Division II National Tournament. He led McMurry in assists as both a junior and senior. His 166 assists during the 1993-94 season still ranks as the fourth-most in McMurry history.
Vanlandingham graduated from McMurry with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1995, carrying a 3.50 cumulative grade point average. He also received a master's degree in sports and recreation management from Hardin-Simmons in 1999.
Vanlandingham and his wife, the former Amber Fausett of Monahans, have two children, a son Cooper (seven) and a daughter Preslee (five).
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