Illinois head coach Brad Underwood announced Monday the elevation of staff members Zach Hamer and Tyler Underwood to assistant coaches following the NCAA’s coaching limit increase.
Passed in January 2023, the Division I Council moved forward to modernize rules for coaching limits across several sports. In men’s and women’s basketball, the Council supported an increase of two coaches, effective July 1. Per the NCAA, these additional coaches may engage in coaching activities but may not recruit off campus.
“I am excited to have Zach and Tyler in a role where they can now have on-court coaching responsibilities that benefit our team,” Coach Brad Underwood said. “These are two young men with bright futures in our profession. They have been immersed in the game of basketball their whole lives and have been part of successful, winning programs every step of the way, most notably here at the University of Illinois. I am pleased the NCAA has increased coaching opportunities across our sport, and I know that Zach and Tyler will take full advantage of teaching the game they love to our players.”
Hamer has been with the Illini four seasons, starting as video coordinator before spending the last two years as assistant to the head coach. Tyler Underwood, meanwhile, has served the last two seasons as director of recruiting and scouting. They will now assume on-court coaching duties and coaching instruction in film sessions and player meetings to their portfolio.
