Ex-WVU Coach Josh Eilert Hired by Utah

Former WVU assistant and interim head coach Josh Eilert is joining Utah’s men’s basketball staff, the Utes program announced on Thursday. Eilert will serve under head coach Craig Smith as an assistant.

Couldn't be more excited to welcome @josheilert to our Runnin' Utes family!! Be sure to give him a follow Ute fans!

MORE ➡️ https://t.co/gezdijL8qb#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/l8jBw13zxt

— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) June 6, 2024

“I would like to thank Coach Smith and the University of Utah administration for this incredible opportunity,” Eilert said in a press release. “I have an immense amount of respect for Coach Smith for the way in which he runs his program and the success he has had along the way. I am thrilled to remain a member of the Big 12 Conference, a league that I have spent 17 years in. My family and I are eager to join the Salt Lake City community and represent the University of Utah and this storied basketball program! Go Utes!”

Eilert had been with West Virginia’s program for 17 seasons after following Bob Huggins from Kansas State. Eilert was promoted to a main assistant role after Erik Martin took the South Carolina State job in 2022. Eilert spent his first six seasons at WVU as a video coordinator under Huggins.

Eilert served as the Mountaineers’ interim head coach during the 2023-24 season, replacing Huggins for the season following his resignation. Under Eilert, West Virginia finished 9-23 as the team struggled to get on the floor together. WVU’s highlights included ranked wins over Kansas and Texas at home.

Eilert now joins a Utah team that will transition from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 beginning this athletic year.