UMass HC Frank Martin Compliments WVU Interim Josh Eilert

UMass HC Frank Martin gave his compliments to WVU interim HC Josh Eilert on Wednesday. Eilert, who was promoted in late June, coached with Martin at Kansas State from 2006-07.

“Super excited for Josh Eilert’s opportunity. We’ve been around Josh since the completion of his playing days at K-State. He’s been unbelievably loyal, a willing learner, and has waited his turn. He is a tremendous leader, a man of character, and we are super excited for him,” said Martin.

👀 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭: UMass head coach @coachFMartin pic.twitter.com/qmyN2rpLL5

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) August 2, 2023

Eilert has had an eventful five weeks after the promotion to interim. Eilert hired two new assistants with Da’Sean Butler and Jordan McCabe, while promoting Alex Ruoff from his graduate assistant role. Eilert also brought on former Houston and Texas Tech head coach James Dickey as a senior advisor.

Eilert and his coaching staff retooled the roster once again this offseason after the departures from Bob Huggins’ resignation. Jeremiah Bembry (G – Florida State), Quinn Slazinski (F – Iona) and Ofri Naveh (F – Israel) all have been brought in. Naveh is the only addition that has not officially signed yet.

Martin and Eilert will go head-to-head against each other on Dec. 16 in Springfield, Mass. for the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. West Virginia and UMass will match up for the first time since 2007.