West Virginia taps assistant Josh Eilert as interim men’s hoops coach
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The next chapter of West Virginia men’s basketball, however short it may turn out to be, was revealed Saturday, as Mountaineers athletic director Wren Baker named Josh Eilert interim coach.
Eilert fills the shoes of Bob Huggins, who recently resigned in the immediate aftermath of being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence June 16 on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
The 69-year-old Huggins had led the Mountaineers since 2007.
Eilert, 42, has spent the last 16 seasons on staff in Morgantown, wearing a number of hats.
From 2013-22, he served as coordinator/director of basketball operations while transitioning into an assistant coaching role last season.
He also handled video coordination duties for West Virginia between 2007-13 and held the title of assistant athletic director for basketball operations in 2022.
Per Baker, Eilert is being tapped to helm the program for the 2023-24 campaign, after which a formal search for Huggins’ long-term replacement will take place.
“I spoke with knowledgeable basketball people around the country over the last week, including coaches, professional basketball executives and others of whom I trust to identify a strong group of candidates to speak with,” Baker said in a news release. “Ultimately what I came to recognize, was that conducting this search in late June was difficult for many of our candidates and also it put our talented student-athletes at a real disadvantage. With that said, we will conduct our national search at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.”
Added Baker:
“Josh Eilert is the right person to lead our men’s basketball program next season. He has been an important part of our success, and he has displayed great integrity, work ethic and dedication. He has been involved in all facets of our program during his time on the basketball staff, and he has earned this opportunity to coach our team on an interim basis for the 2023-24 season. Our athletics department will provide Josh, his staff and our student-athletes with a great support system and will do everything we can to ensure a successful season. Change is never easy and always presents challenges, but I am confident that this is the correct decision at this time. Moving forward and continuing our preparation for the upcoming season is the top priority now for our program. ”
Eilert played college hoops at Cloud County Community College (2000-02) and Kansas State (2002-04), where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and master’s in college student personnel/intercollegiate athletics.
Prior to joining West Virginia’s staff, Eilert served as a graduate assistant for the Wildcats in 2006-07.
Eilert and his wife, Brandi, have two sons and a daughter.
“I would like to thank Wren Baker, President Gee, Rob Alsop, Steve Uryasz and the rest of our administration for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to lead our storied Mountaineer basketball program,” Eilert said. “I would also like to thank Coach Huggins for retaining me on his staff at K-State in 2006 and for bringing me to West Virginia in 2007. I’ve learned so much from Coach Huggins, and it was an honor to work for a Hall of Fame coach for the last 17 years.
“I’m excited about this opportunity to lead the wonderful group of guys that we have in our locker room. They have been working extremely hard on the court, in the weight room and in the classroom since they returned to campus on June 5. In the coming days and weeks, I will be solidifying our roster and getting our team ready to head to Italy later this summer.”