It took just two days of the NCAA’s newly active coaching limits for the Illinois men’s basketball team to find its fit.

With a ruling first passed in January 2023 and effective as of July 1, the NCAA now allows two additional coaches per men’s and women’s basketball program. 

Looking in-house rather than out, the Illini promoted multi-year staff members Zach Hamer and Tyler Underwood.

Following stints as an advance scout with the Los Angeles Lakers and video coordinator for the Indiana Fever, Hamer began his journey in orange and blue as video coordinator.

During his two-year tenure in the position, he quickly proved worthy of the role of assistant to the head coach, being granted the position in August 2021. Hamer now moves up the ladder again, going into his fifth year in Champaign. 

Underwood is a bit more familiar with Illinois despite being younger, as he is the son of head coach Brad Underwood and spent four years on the other side of the clipboard for Illinois.

After graduating, the six-year collegiate veteran landed a spot as Illinois’ director of recruiting and scouting, which he has held ever since June 2021. 

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