Russell Vanlandingham comes to OLLU after serving as assistant coach at Texas State University in San Marcos, where in 2008, he helped the team vie for a berth in postseason play; the team missed the playoffs by one game. During that year, he was instrumental in signing four of the top 40 players in Texas in his first recruiting class. It was the most in one class since the school joined the NCAA's Southland Conference. In addition, since coaching at Texas State, the Bobcats have consistently improved their win total from the previous season.

Vanlandingham has had coaching positions at McMurry University in Abilene (2005-2006 and 1996-2001) and West Texas A&M in Canyon (2001-2005). At McMurry, his alma mater, the Indians averaged 97.2 points per game, ranking sixth in NCAA Division III. McMurry's record was 18-9 in 2005-2006 in the American Southwest Conference, and the team advanced to the semifinals of the ASC Tournament. From 1996-2001, the Indians' record was 122-36, and they had five postseason appearances, four ASC West Division titles, two ASC championships and back-to-back berths in the NCAA Division III national tournament. While at West Texas A&M, he helped the Buffaloes to three Lone Star Conference tournament appearances and a 2003 conference title; the team's record was 71-44.

As a player at McMurry, Vanlandingham earned All-Texas honors as a guard and was a member of the Indians' 1993-1994 team, which advanced to the Sweet 16 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 received a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1995 from McMurry University and a master's degree in sports and recreation management in 1999 from Hardin-Simmons University. He is originally from San Antonio, where he attended East Central High School. He and wife, Amber, have three children.

Corey Cornish, first-year assistant basketball coach, brings 12 years of collegiate coaching experience to OLLU and the Red River Conference. Prior to arriving at OLLU, Cornish spent three years as the head coach at Cisco Junior college. He had a 53-37 overall record before the program was canceled. Before arriving at Cisco, Cornish spent two years as the assistant men's coach under Lewis Orr at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. While at Navarro College, Cornish was in charge of recruiting and assisted in the on-court coaching. In Cornish's last year, the Bulldogs fell one game short of making the Easter Conference Tournament with only three scholarships.

Cornish served as an assistant at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. In the six years as an assistant coach, he was a part of a 93-52 record; posted its first back-to-back 22-win seasons since the early 1940s; had 17 Lone Star All-Conference players; and was LSC South Division regular champions in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999, with the last year reaching the NCAA Elite Eight Tournament for the first time in West Texas A&M history.

Cornish had a distinguished playing career at Wayland Baptist University. A four-year letter winner, Cornish played on three teams that advanced to the national tournament. He currently ranks ninth on the Pioneers all-time scoring list with 1,431 points. As a senior, Cornish averaged 20.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.3 assists which landed him on the NAIA All-American Team and First Team for District 4.

Cornish graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a bachelor's degree in mass communications. He and his wife, Brenda, have two children, Todrick, 23 and Shaysten, 9.