Brad Underwood just added another line to his résumé.
On Sept. 2, the Illini head coach officially took his seat on the NABC Board of Directors, home to many of the sport’s most influential coaching voices at the college and high school levels.
Underwood is one of nine new coaches joining the board this year, along with Kentucky’s Mark Pope and Duke’s Jon Scheyer, two of the most nationally recognized
coaches in today’s game.
His appointment shows just how far his reputation has grown since arriving in Champaign. Illini fans won’t be surprised, though, knowing the leadership presence he brings to the table every game, every season.
Representing more than 5,000 coaches, the board helps shape the direction of the sport, weighing in on everything from player development and coaching education to leadership, advocacy and inclusion. With a seat on the board, Underwood now has a hand in steering college basketball during one of its most chaotic stretches, from NIL to the transfer portal.
With Underwood on the board, the Illini have booked their spot in the bigger national basketball conversation. And for fans, it’s another sign of how far Underwood has taken this program. What started as a rebuild has become a program that shows up every March and now carries real weight in the national picture.
