Tyler Underwood is in his third season as assistant coach after being elevated to the role on July 1, 2023. Among his many coaching duties, he serves as Illini offensive coordinator.

This is Underwood’s fifth year overall on the Fighting Illini staff after spending his first two seasons as director of recruiting and scouting. 

Illinois won the Big Ten championship during Underwood’s first season on staff, going 23-10 overall and 15-5 in conference play to win the program’s first regular-season title since 2005. The Illini won 20 games in his second year, advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

Illinois won the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2024, its best NCAA Tournament finish in the 19 years. The Illini finished with 29 wins, marking the third-most in school history, and end the year ranked No. 6 in the final AP poll. Illinois had its most efficient offense of the kenpom era, ranking third nationally. 

The Illini won 22 games in 2025 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 behind another oustanding offense, ranking 14th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency.

Underwood had a six-year college basketball career, which included his last four at Illinois. He appeared in 40 career games over three seasons with the Illini.

Underwood was part of the resurgence of Illini Basketball that saw the program win 21 games in an abbreviated 2020 season and finish the year ranked No. 21 nationally. He then helped Illinois to one of the best seasons in school history in 2021 that featured a Big Ten Tournament championship, NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed, and No. 2 ranking in the final AP poll.

Underwood’s last two seasons on the roster aligned with the second-winningest two-year Big Ten run in school history, as the Illini combined for 29 conference wins from 2020 to 2021.

Underwood was part of three NCAA Tournament teams during his career: 2016 at Stephen F. Austin, 2017 at Oklahoma State, and 2021 at Illinois. A fourth NCAA appearance in 2020 was precluded by the cancellation of the postseason due to COVID-19.

Underwood received three degrees from the University of Illinois, a bachelor’s in sociology in 2019, a master’s in recreation, sport and tourism in 2020, and a master’s in management from the Gies College of Business in 2021.

Underwood has a fiancée, Katie Sloniger.