3 Reasons West Virginia Mountaineers Should Stick With Josh Eilert

Amid a season with constant changes, some question the capabilities that Eilert has to be a permanent fixture for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

West Virginia Mountaineers interim head coach Josh Eilert hasn’t been dealt a great hand. He was thrusted into the position just five months before the start of the season after the resignation of long-time head coach Bob Huggins. His departure resulted in players leaving, outraged fans and no hope for a once esteemed program. There’s no word on the future Eilert has as West Virginia’s head coach. Fans seem to have differing thoughts on whether or not he should stay. The truth is, no one has been able to see what he’s actually capable of.

#1: He hasn’t been given a fair shot

Eilert was only recently named an assistant coach at West Virginia in 2022. Before that, he served as Director of Basketball Operations and Video Coordinator. The world of coaching is still fairly new to him. This is his first shot as a head coach, and it’s came with every obstacle you could think of.

It’s premature to think that Eilert isn’t capable of being a head coach because of all the adversity he’s had to overcome. He really hasn’t been given a fair shot. The experience he’s gone through is not the norm for head coaches when coming into a new program.

Critics are quick to react to West Virginia’s losing record. Some blame Eilert, stating that his little experience in coaching contributes to their performance. However, the position he was thrown into was very out of the ordinary and something that would be difficult for anyone.

#2: He’s been loyal to the West Virginia Mountaineers

When Huggins resigned, there was a lot of uncertainty around what the future of West Virginia basketball would look like. No one knew who would be staying or leaving – players and coaches alike. And many players decided to leave West Virginia or look at other options.

Eilert didn’t stray though. Instead, he reportedly asked athletic director Wren Baker what could he do to help the program. Some coaches could have ran for the hills. I believe it is worth noting the loyalty that Eilert has shown to West Virginia. This is a guy you want in your basketball program because even in the thick of things, he’s going to stick around and do whatever it takes to help.

#3: He’s assembled a great staff

With coaching changes usually comes a whole change in staff. This situation was no different. The only assistant coach that stuck around was former NBA and international star DeMarr Johnson, who was hired the season before after long-time assistant Larry Harrison resigned.

Eilert added three former West Virginia stand outs in Jordan McCabe, Alex Ruoff and Da’Sean Butler. Eilert was on the West Virginia staff while each player was on the roster, McCabe being the most recent player in 2021.

McCabe has an excellent sense of what it’s like to be a student athlete in today’s world and often shares advice on social media to help young athletes. Ruoff was just a graduate assistant under Huggins last season and could be seen sitting beside him on the bench for every game. Butler was part of the 2010 Final Four team and was recently inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame. Any insight from this bench would surely be of help.