Bruce Weber...Let the Games Begin

[CoxBizGrad]

High probability this could happen. Weber is a good, solid coach who knows the Xs and Os. However, he'll have to have some good recruiters on staff. Recruiting is not his strength.

[EastStang]

I don't know much about this guy. He has a pretty good record of winning everywhere he went. His strength is his bench work. His weakness is probably recruiting. He did manage a Sweet Sixteen trip for SIU. So, clearly, he has some ability to get some talent. His mentor was Gene Keady who had some success over the years. My only concern is that his background is all midwest, not southwest. I don't see a lot of Dallas and Houston in there. Can a history of recuiting in Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana translate to this environment. I don't know. Clearly knows the x's and o's. We could do worse.

[SMU 86]

He applied for the NIU job and they did not hire him.

[CoxBizGrad]

Solid coach, solid guy... weak recruiter.

[RI Stang]

Would rather have Brown than Weber - and that's saying something. Weber hire seems so similar to Doh hire. Sure would be nice to see Orsini think differently on this one than just another retread, but that appears to be his MO. Was hoping others involved and the search firm would steer him away from that tendency, but maybe that was wishful thinking.

[PonyKai]

It would be one hell of an underwhelming hire. Like trying to steal a Ferrari, then when they catch you, settling for a Ford Fiesta.

[Mitch McConnell]

He applied for the NIU job and they did not hire him.

Actually, that was Southern Illinois, which is where he was before he cam to Illinois. There was a report that he was offered the position. Obviously, there was something wrong with that report because the job wound up going to Barry Hinson, the former Missouri State coach who is on the Kansas staff.

I think Weber is a good coach but he's a midwest guy and not a good fit here. His recruiting struggles are noteworthy -- people talked about Chicago but he didn't get into the other hotbed of Peoria either. But Illinois' history in Chicago is pretty close to our problems in Dallas. It should be easy to recruit to but some reason it hasn't been.

In Weber's his defense, Brandon Paul was a pretty good player. I just think that everything internally spiraled to the point where the momentum couldn't be stopped. And Illinois did beat Ohio State and Michigan State this year, so it wasn't like the Illini were god awful.

Keep in mind, the huge buyout Weber has at Illinois (I think it's $3.9 million over 3 years), he doesn't have to take a job because he needs one. Of course, if he's really involved with us, we don't have to pay him a lot unless there is something in that buyout that would affect its value should he take another job.

Just get ready for that high-pitched voice.

[ecrugger]

Weber was interviewed, but have no fear, Kansas State "stole" him. He'll be announced as their head coach later today.

[RI Stang]

Good news! They owe us one for Phil, maybe now we're even.

[dcpony]

Weber was interviewed, but have no fear, Kansas State "stole" him. He'll be announced as their head coach later today.

Ha! K-State didn't want to Hire Doug Gottlieb with Doherty coming on board as an assistant?

[Treadway21]

Weber was interviewed, but have no fear, Kansas State "stole" him. He'll be announced as their head coach later today.

Good call, whoever you are. Thanks. What other info can you download on us?