Underwood Father-Son Duo Enjoying Special Moment in Illinois' Final Four Run

Illinois coach Brad Underwood and his son Tyler, an Illini assistant, share an emotional embrace after clinching a Final Four berth.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:39pm

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Illinois' run to the Final Four has been especially meaningful for head coach Brad Underwood, as he gets to experience it alongside his son Tyler, who serves as an assistant coach on the Illini staff. The father-son duo shared an emotional embrace after Illinois defeated Iowa in the Elite Eight, with Brad reflecting on the sacrifices of coaching and how proud he is to see Tyler follow in his footsteps.

Why it matters

The Underwoods' journey to the Final Four is a heartwarming story of family, perseverance, and the passing of the coaching torch from father to son. Brad Underwood's 39-year coaching career has finally culminated in his first trip to the national semifinals, and being able to share that milestone with Tyler makes it all the more special.

The details

Brad Underwood has been the head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini since 2017, leading the team to a Big Ten title and an Elite Eight appearance in 2024. His son Tyler has been an assistant coach on the staff for the past five seasons, following in his father's footsteps after playing at several of Brad's previous coaching stops. Together, the Underwoods have built Illinois into a national powerhouse, with Tyler playing a key role in the recruitment and development of standout players like Keaton Wagler.

  • Illinois defeated Iowa 71-59 in the Elite Eight on March 29, 2026 to clinch a spot in the Final Four.
  • Brad Underwood has been the head coach of Illinois since 2017.
  • Tyler Underwood has been an assistant coach on the Illinois staff for the past five seasons.

The players

Brad Underwood

The head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini, with a 39-year coaching career that has included stops at Hardin-Simmons, Dodge City Community College, Western Illinois, Daytona Beach Community College, Kansas State, South Carolina, Stephen F. Austin, Oklahoma State, and Illinois.

Tyler Underwood

The offensive coordinator and assistant coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini, following in his father Brad's footsteps after playing at Stephen F. Austin, Oklahoma State, and Illinois.

Keaton Wagler

An All-American player for the Illinois Fighting Illini, who was identified and recruited by Tyler Underwood despite being ranked outside the top 250 nationally.

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What they’re saying

“My wife was better. She raised our kids. I was never home. I was an assistant at Western Illinois, and I was never home. And she's more competitive than I am, but I never coached my kids, I was never around for Tyler. When it came to sports, he did it all on his own. And then to see what he's become as a coach – in a profession I didn't want him to get into – yeah, that was pretty special.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

“You dream about this as a kid, and I dreamt about doing it at Illinois. Back in the day, when my wife bought Tyler – who was maybe two – a Brian Cook jersey, and you knew what a special place this was and it always has been. There's been no other thing for me. This is my dream job, and it's very fulfilling to get where we're going.”

— Brad Underwood, Head Coach, Illinois Fighting Illini

What’s next

The Underwoods and the Illinois Fighting Illini will face off against the winner of the West Regional Final in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four on April 5, 2026.

The takeaway

The Underwood family's journey to the Final Four is a heartwarming story of perseverance, sacrifice, and the passing of the coaching torch from father to son. Brad Underwood's long-awaited first trip to the national semifinals is made all the more special by being able to share it with his son Tyler, who has followed in his footsteps to become an assistant coach for the Illini.