History of Brad Underwood in Timeline

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

December 14, 1963: Brad Underwood Born

On December 14, 1963, Bradley Cole Underwood was born. He is now an American college basketball coach.

Others born on this day/year

1982: Played at Hardin-Simmons University

From 1982 to 1983, Underwood played as a guard for Hardin-Simmons University during his freshman year.

1983: Transferred to Independence Community College

In 1983, Underwood transferred to Independence Community College.

1984: Lettered at Kansas State University

Between 1984 and 1986, Brad Underwood lettered on the basketball team at Kansas State University.

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.

1986: Graduated from Kansas State

In 1986, Underwood graduated from Kansas State with a bachelor's degree in radio and television communications.

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.

2013: Ineligible Student-Athletes

From 2013 thru 2019, The Stephen F. Austin athletics department certified student-athletes that were competing while ineligible for SFA, resulting in 82 student-athletes competing.

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.

2014: Vacated Wins

Stephen F. Austin vacated 117 men's basketball victories from 2014 thru 2019.

2015: Vacated Wins

In 2015-2016 basketball season, Stephen F. Austin vacated all 29 wins.

2015: Tyler Redshirted at Stephen F. Austin

In the 2015-2016 season, Tyler Underwood redshirted at Stephen F. Austin.

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.

2016: Vacated Wins

In 2015-2016 basketball season, Stephen F. Austin vacated all 28 wins.

2016: Tyler Transferred to Oklahoma State

In the 2016-2017 season, Tyler Underwood transferred to Oklahoma State.

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.

2017: Tyler Transferred to Illinois

In the 2017-2021 seasons, Tyler Underwood transferred to the University of Illinois.

2019: Stephen F. Austin Vacates Victories

In the Spring of 2019, The Stephen F. Austin athletics department discovered that the process by which student-athletes were being certified as academically eligible was not properly accounting for all NCAA requirements from 2013 thru 2019.

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.

2020: NCAA Penalties for Oklahoma State

In 2020, Oklahoma State's basketball program received penalties from the NCAA as punishment for violations committed during Underwood's tenure.

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: Tyler Played at Illinois

In 2021, Tyler Underwood played in seven games on the season after making debut Jan. 7 at Northwestern, made a 3-pointer and had 1 rebound in Big Ten tournament win over Rutgers, grabbed one rebound in win at No. 2 Michigan, and made first basket of the season in Nebraska win.

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: Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award

In 2023 Brad Underwood was awarded the Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award.

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.