Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Brad Underwood

How Brad Underwood built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Brad Underwood is an American college basketball coach, currently the head coach for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini since 2017. Before Illinois, Underwood held head coaching positions at Oklahoma State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Dodge City Community College, and Daytona Beach Community College. His career reflects a sustained presence and leadership within collegiate basketball.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1984: Second Place Finish NJCAA

In 1984, Underwood averaged 17 points a game and led Independence to a second place finish in the NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship game.

1986: Graduate Assistant at Hardin-Simmons

In 1986, Underwood began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Hardin-Simmons.

1988: Head Coach Dodge City Community College

In 1988, Underwood became the head coach of Dodge City Community College.

1993: Joined Jim Kerwin's Staff at Western Illinois

In 1993, Underwood joined Jim Kerwin's staff at Western Illinois, where he spent 10 years as an assistant.

2003: Head Coach Daytona Beach Community College

In 2003, Underwood led Daytona Beach Community College to a 70-24 record.

2004: First Big Ten Tournament Title Since 2004-05 Season

In 2021, Underwood led the Illini to their first Big Ten tournament title since the 2004–05 season.

2006: Assistant Coach at Kansas State

In 2006, Underwood served as assistant coach under Bob Huggins and Frank Martin at Kansas State.

2012: Associate Head Coach at South Carolina

In 2012, Underwood followed Frank Martin to South Carolina as his associate head coach.

April 30, 2013: Hired as Head Coach of Stephen F. Austin

On April 30, 2013, Brad Underwood was hired as the head coach of Stephen F. Austin, replacing Danny Kaspar.

2014: Southland Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament Berth

In 2014, Stephen F. Austin captured the Southland Conference regular-season championship and was awarded the Southland Conference automatic berth to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament where they upset VCU in the round of 64, before eventually falling to UCLA. Underwood was also named Southland Coach of the Year.

March 21, 2016: Hired as Head Coach of Oklahoma State

On March 21, 2016, Brad Underwood was hired as head coach of Oklahoma State, replacing Travis Ford.

March 17, 2017: Loss to Michigan in NCAA Tournament

On March 17, 2017, Brad Underwood led the Cowboys to a 20–13 record, ending with a loss to Michigan in the NCAA tournament.

March 18, 2017: Hired as Head Coach of Illinois

On March 18, 2017, Brad Underwood was hired as head coach of Illinois.

2017: Head Coach at University of Illinois

In 2017, Brad Underwood became the Fighting Illini men's basketball head coach at the University of Illinois.

March 2, 2020: Contract Extension at Illinois

On March 2, 2020, it was announced that Underwood and his assistants had received contract extensions with Illinois through the 2025-26 season.

2020: Illinois Finished 2020-21 Regular Season

Illinois finished the 2020–21 regular season 16–4 in Big Ten play, 23-6 overall. Illinois finished in second place in Big Ten play to Michigan.

March 12, 2021: Big Ten Tournament Play

On Friday, March 12, 2021, Illinois started Big Ten tournament play. Illinois first played Rutgers, winning 90–68.

2021: Co-Champions of Big Ten

In the 2021-22 season, the Illini were co-champions of the Big Ten with a 15-5 record. Illinois again made the NCAA Tournament.

2022: NCAA Tournament Loss to Arkansas

In the 2022-23 season, the Illini again made the NCAA Tournament, this time losing in the first round to Arkansas.

2023: Contract Through 2023

Brad Underwood signed a six-year contract through 2023 when he became head coach at Illinois.

2023: Big Ten Tournament Win

In 2023-24, the Illini finished second place in Big Ten play and proceeded to win the Big Ten Tournament against Wisconsin.

2024: Council Chair

In 2024 Brad Underwood became the Council Chair for the Coaches Council of Coaches vs. Cancer.

2024: NCAA Tournament Qualification

In the 2024-25 season, the Illini again qualified for the NCAA Tournament, beating Xavier in the first round before losing to Kentucky.

2025: Contract through 2025-26 Season

Brad Underwood signed a contract extension on March 2, 2020 through the 2025-26 season with Illinois.

2027: Contract Extension Through 2027

Following the end of the 2021 season, Underwood received a one-year contract extension, keeping him through 2027 with Illinois.

2028: Contract Extension Through 2028

Following the end of the 2022 season, Underwood received a one-year contract extension, keeping him through 2028 with Illinois.

2029: Contract Through 2029-30 Season

Winning the Big Ten Tournament in 2023 triggered an automatic contract extension for Brad Underwood, keeping him under contract through the 2029-30 season.