Illinois HC Brad Underwood Calls WVU Interim Josh Eilert ‘Perfect Choice’

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood was quoted about WVU interim Josh Eilert, calling him the perfect choice for what’s going on with the basketball program at this time.

“I am excited and happy for Josh; he has paid his dues and was the perfect choice by Wren Baker to lead the program at this time under challenging circumstances. He has been extremely loyal, spending the entirety of his career working for Coach Huggins,” Underwood said to the basketball program. “Josh has tremendous experience at the high-major level and outstanding contacts and relationships throughout the sports. Most importantly, he understands the culture of Mountaineer Basketball, the state of West Virginia and the Big 12 Conference.”

👀 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭: Illinois head coach @CoachUnderwood pic.twitter.com/ZCQbNzYYLh

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) August 8, 2023

Underwood and Eilert have coaching experience together, as they were on the same Kansas State staff in 2006-07. Underwood was an assistant while Eilert was a graduate assistant under Bob Huggins’ lone year at KSU. Once Huggins was hired by West Virginia, Eilert followed him to WVU. Eilert is entering his 17th season with the program and worked his way up from video coordinator to head coach. Eilert was promoted on June 24 after serving one season as an assistant.

Eilert replaces Huggins, who resigned in June. Eilert is on a 10-month contract that ends in April and will be evaluated at the end of the season.

Underwood is far from the first coach to speak on Eilert being named WVU’s interim head man. UMass head coach Frank Martin voiced his opinion just last week.