Utah Fires Head Coach, Names Josh Eilert Interim for Rest of Season

Some major Big 12 coaching news took place on Monday when Utah decided to part ways with Craig Smith before he could wrap up his fourth season with the Utes. Former WVU coach Josh Eilert will serve as Utah’s interim head coach for the rest of the season.

Smith has Utah at 15-12 (7-9, Big 12) with four games remaining in the regular spasm. He finishes his Utah tenure with a 65-62 overall record and only one NIT appearance as far as postseason play.

Change in Leadership of Utah Men’s Basketball Program Announced by Mark Harlan

More: https://t.co/Ux06TKkfwB#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/QX23YFgJqr

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 24, 2025

Prior to taking over the Utes in 2021, Smith just experienced three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances at Utah State. Smith’s dismissal comes after recent wins over Kansas and Kansas State, granted it also follows a loss to UCF.

Utah’s inconsistency and high expectations eventually led to Smith’s removal. Smith has 290 total wins as a college basketball coach across multiple levels.

Eilert had been with West Virginia’s program for 17 seasons after following Huggins from Kansas State. He was promoted to a main assistant coaching role in 2022. West Virginia finished 9-23 last season with Eilert as the interim head coach and he was hired as an assistant coach at Utah in June.

West Virginia is set to face Utah at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on March 4. WVU beat Utah 72-61 in early February for Eilert’s return to Morgantown. 

There’s no word on if Eilert will be a candidate for the permanent job at this time.

Find more coverage of what’s going on around the Big 12 beyond WVU at WV Sports Now.