The Athletic Department at the University of Illinois introduced their new head basketball coach today. Brad Underwood was at the State Farm Center. He said that once he found out the U of I was interested in him as a coach Athletic Director Josh Whitman didn’t need to sell him on taking the job. Underwood has ties to the state, having been a 10 year assistant at Western Illinois University. He says it’s great to recruit the state because of top talent and coaches.

The contract will pay Underwood more than $3 million a season for 6 years. He was making a little more than a million a year coaching at Oklahoma State. Underwood will be introduced to Illini fans at halftime of tonight’s NIT game against Boise State.