Josh Eilert Reflects on Chaotic Season as WVU’s Interim HC

WVU interim HC Josh Eilert spoke with the media following the Mountaineers’ 90-85 loss to Cincinnati in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament. Eilert, alongside players Jesse Edwards and Josiah Harris, reflected on the long, chaotic season.

“This whole entire year, and the moment I got the job, it’s been filled with challenges, problems to solve, issues to deal with. It’s just been nonstop whether it’s been internal or external issues. It’s just been quite the rollercoaster,” Eilert said. “You know what you do? You wake up every day and try to figure out how you attack those issues, work out solutions. We got to the finish line, certainly not where we want to be from a record standpoint but I think everybody learned and grew as humans, as individuals.”

Eilert talked about how former WVU guard and current Boston Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla recently sent him a page of a book with a quote that he could relate to.

“Thought it hit home with me. [The quote] said make friends with the problems in your life,” Eilert said.

Eilert took over for Bob Huggins last June after the Basketball Hall of Fame coach resigned following a DUI arrest. Eilert and his staff had to scramble to retain and recruit the roster back, while adding more transfers throughout the summer months. West Virginia, despite having talent on the team, finished 9-23, the most losses in a single season for the program.

WVU director of athletics Wren Baker will evaluate Eilert’s performance this season, likely signaling for a search of a new leader of Mountaineer basketball.