Illinois vs. Michigan

[lefty]

It is well known that Bruce Weber is a friend of Chris Lowery's, and Lowery worked for Weber before he took the SIU job. If this scenario plays out like some propose, it will be interesting to see if the fact that SIU wants his friend fired would dissuade Weber from taking the SIU job. Weber will not be that desperate for a job.

I agree...he can take his time getting back in with his buyout

[Da Coach]

I agree...he can take his time getting back in with his buyout

Bruce Weber is only 55 years old, so I am sure he would want to coach again if he left Illinois. But in 2009, Ron Guenther signed Bruce to an extension through the 2014-1015 season at $1.5 million per year. This could be an impediment to any change the new AD might consider making.

http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/052109aab.html

http://www.dailyillini.com/index.php/article/2009/05/weber_recieves_pay_increase_amended_contract

[Da Coach]

Illinois lost a tough game last night at home to Purdue. But the bigger story is the Bruce Weber meltdown after the game. He was nearly in tears after the game, and then unloaded on his players, and others, and admitted his failures in a long post-game press conference.
It is an interesting listen if you haven't heard this already (the Chicago sports radio channels have been playing it all morning). Bruce sounds like he is ready to accept being fired, or maybe he's ready to quit?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDV2_HT-eA8

[Beninator]

He gone! I was listening to The Score this morning and they had excerpts of Weber's press conference set to Frank Sinatra's My Way. I am sure that somebody will have a parody of this on youtube by the end of the day!

[TheAsianSensation]

Weber has reached his endgame at Illinois. He probably needs multiple NCAA tournament wins at this point, and he's got to get there first.

[Da Coach]

I talked to an Illinois insider, and the big money boosters at Illinois are almost all pushing for BW to be replaced this year. Bruce's contract has a buyout clause that is about $3.9 million, and the AD has apparently already gotten assurances from big money donors that they'll cover that. Bruce likely knows this, and sees his time at Illinois coming to an end.

[FlyingSpaghettiMonster]

I talked to an Illinois insider, and the big money boosters at Illinois are almost all pushing for BW to be replaced this year. Bruce's contract has a buyout clause that is about $3.9 million, and the AD has apparently already gotten assurances from big money donors that they'll cover that. Bruce likely knows this, and sees his time at Illinois coming to an end.

I can't see him being retained after the loss to Purdue. That seems to be the nail in the coffin baring a miracle NCAA run. It's going to be difficult for them to even make the tourney now.