MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Former WVU interim head coach Josh Eilert will remain in the Big 12 Conference after being named as an assistant coach at the University of Utah on Thursday. Utah head coach Craig Smith is entering his fourth season leading the Utes in the 2024-2025 season.
“We’re thrilled to have Josh and his wonderful family join the Utah men’s basketball program,” Smith said. “Josh is an excellent coach in all facets. He is well rounded in all phases of the game and articulates the game in a clear and concise manner. Josh has an excellent background in player development and will specifically work with the ‘bigs’ in our program. He also has a vast knowledge of the Big 12, having played and coached in it for nearly two decades; which will be very impactful as we head into that conference this season.”
Couldn’t be more excited to welcome @josheilert to our Runnin’ Utes family!! Be sure to give him a follow Ute fans!
MORE ➡️ https://t.co/gezdijL8qb#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/l8jBw13zxt
— Utah Basketball (@UtahMBB) June 6, 2024
Utah is coming off a 22-15 season that culminated in a run to the National Invitational Tournament semifinals.
“I would like to thank Coach Smith and the University of Utah administration for this incredible opportunity,” Eilert said. “I have an immense amount of respect for Coach Smith for the way in which he runs his program and the success he has had along the way. I am thrilled to remain a member of the Big 12 Conference, a league that I have spent 17 years in. My family and I are eager to join the Salt Lake City community and represent the University of Utah and this storied basketball program! Go Utes!”
Eilert worked in a variety of roles during his first 16 seasons with the Mountaineers. He was named interim head coach last summer posted a 9-23 record in the 2023-2024 season.
Utah is set to begin Big 12 competition at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year.