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If you wanted to watch Brad Underwood’s press conference from his official introduction at Illinois, here you go.
Oh wait, that’s not the right one. Ah well. Doesn’t matter. You hear pretty much the exact same thing Underwood said today as he said 362 days ago.
Here is the actual press conference.
Illinois Basketball Coach Underwood Introductory Press Confere...Hear from new #Illini Head Coach Brad Underwood in his introductory press conference.
Posted by Fighting Illini Basketball on Monday, March 20, 2017
Underwood was officially introduced to the Illinois faithful and media today. Before he took the mic, Illinois Athletic Director Josh Witman spoke about how they landed the snake now former Cowboys coach.
"We just didn't think there was a chance to get him."
According to Witman, he didn’t speak with Underwood’s representatives until last Wednesday, which is when he learned of Underwood’s interest in the school
“Last Wednesday, we picked up the phone and called Brad’s representative and had a discussion with him, and we were thrilled to learn that the University of Illinois has long been a destination location for coach Underwood.”
Witman went on to make some glowing remarks about Underwood...
"Brad's someone of the highest integrity. ... We have every intention of winning Big Ten and national championship."
When Underwood finally took the stand, he did speak some about Oklahoma State and his time with the Cowboys.
Here are Brad Underwood's full comments on #okstate at his introduction as Illinois' basketball coach: "I thoroughly enjoyed my year there." pic.twitter.com/CFc6GKQ0jO
— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) March 20, 2017
Underwood promised a lot of the exact same things to the Illini faithful as he did to the Cowboy faithful just a year ago. You’ll also probably see some recognizable comments during his press conference.
Underwood: "This is not about me." Says it's about united effort to bring Illinois basketball back. Wants everyday guys.
— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) March 20, 2017
Sounds familiar.
Underwood today: "The tradition and culture of this program is why I stand here today."
— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) March 20, 2017
Most Oklahoma State fans on Twitter noticed the... similarities.
You'd think three million dollars a year would at least buy some new catchphrases. #okstate
— ChristopherSnodgress (@csnodgress) March 20, 2017
Before the conference, details of Underwood’s contract with the school were released.
Details of #illini Brad Underwood's contract pic.twitter.com/9fjepjZFAJ
— Jeremy Werner (@JWernerScout) March 20, 2017
The details are as follows.: Underwood’s contract is for six years and $18 million dollars. He will make $2.75 million in year one and $3.25 million in final year. There’s also an $8.5 million dollar buy-out if Underwood felt like pulling another one-and-done next year.
*Note that Underwood does not get to $3 million until his fourth year.
Holder and Underwood weren’t that far off. Holder said he’d get Brad to $3 million in year 5, he’s getting it year 4. Rift bigger factor. https://t.co/NCPMQMOfh0
— Carson Cunningham (@KOCOCarson) March 20, 2017
This feels like the end of the Underwood story in relation to Oklahoma State. From here, all focus should turn to the search for the next head coach.
Al eyes are on you Mike Holder.
Keep following us at CRFF as we keep you up-to-date on the latest coaching search for Oklahoma State basketball.