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Inside sources at Illinois this morning are saying the firing of Bruce Weber is imminent. There remains a lot of discussion about who will replace him, but the list of potential candidates that are being mentioned is rather long.
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This will be the third coach fired by their new AD. For the past few weeks, the Chicago media has been throwing out Shaka Smart's name on a daily basis. Who knows what will happen.... I wonder how much money the University is allocating to this process if in fact they buy out a contract similar to Smart's at VCU?
Save the BAM!
Bradley 72 - Illini 68 Final
???It??™s awful hard,??™??™ said Illini freshman guard D.J. Richardson, the former Central High School guard who played prep school ball a few miles from here and fought back tears outside the locker room. ???It??™s a hometown thing. It??™s bragging rights.??™ -
Another hot name I heard this morning that I had not heard before is, believe it or not, Reggie Theus.Comment
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Here is a little more on Reggie Theus-
Apparently, Theus has a close relationship with the family of 2013 stud (and former Bradley recruit
) Jabari Parker. That may be all it takes to get the Illinois job. Theus was a star at UNLV in the 1970's, then played 14 seasons in the NBA, including a 6-year stint with the Chicago Bulls. He was the head coach at New Mexico State from 2005-2007 then left to become the head coach of the Sacramento Kings for 1+ season (2007-08 ). He was then an assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2009-2011. He was interviewed in April, 2010 for the open DePaul head coaching job that went to Oliver Purnell. I do not think Theus is currently employed.
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I heard Billy Gillispie was seen in and around C-U last week.Comment
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PJS says press conference at 11am to announce BAM is gone???We all want Bradley to win. If our methods and visions for that are different, then so be it. Don't ever attempt to tell me I am not a fan!???Comment
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Come on.Originally posted by MacabreMob View Post
If he was there, he was just settling up some of his old bar tabs, and traffic tickets.
Actually, Billy was playing in the Big 12 tournament yesterday and losing to OK State to finish Billy's first season at Texas Tech with an 8-23 record, 1-17 in the Big 12
The Bruce Weber firing is already being reported-
It will be interesting to see what happens with his assistants.Comment
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Time to watch all the UIUC fans squirm. I work with a lot of Illini fans and when I mention that the Chicago media is pumping up Shaka Smart for the UIUC job, they all ask who is Shaka Smart? (insert puzzled look to go along with the question). Now I get to mention Reggie Theus!!!!
Bradley 72 - Illini 68 Final
???It??™s awful hard,??™??™ said Illini freshman guard D.J. Richardson, the former Central High School guard who played prep school ball a few miles from here and fought back tears outside the locker room. ???It??™s a hometown thing. It??™s bragging rights.??™Comment
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670 The Score made it sound like he had the job yesterday. They also referenced Parker and that Theus has been spending time with the family.Originally posted by Da Coach View PostHere is a little more on Reggie Theus-
Apparently, Theus has a close relationship with the family of 2013 stud (and former Bradley recruit) Jabari Parker. That may be all it takes to get the Illinois job.When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.Comment
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The Illinois press conference is live on the Big Ten network-Comment
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Bruce has officially been fired.
Jerrance Howard will be named the interim coach.
They will begin a national search.
AD Mike Thomas is now taking questions.
No mention of what is the fate of the other assistants.
The buyout is 1.3 million per year for 3 years left on the contract= $3.9 million buyoutComment
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More from the press conference-
Qualities the AD is looking for in next coach-
Someone who has won and had success at high level
Clean track record on compliance
Jerrance was chosen as interim because of his "great relationships with current players". But his position is not guaranteed after the new coach is hired.Comment
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More-
AD citing reasons for change-
Not competetive for Big Ten championship
attendance dropping
If Illinois gets an NIT bid, Jerrance Howard will serve as head coach for any NIT games.
Illinois will not be interested in a CBI or CIT offer
AD Mike Thomas won't discuss specific names he might be interested in
He will be using a search firm- probably the same search firm currently helping with the search for a new women's coach
Question: Why wasn't Associate Coach Wayne McClain chosen as interim coach?
Answer- a vague reference that they are both good but "they bring different things to the table"Comment
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More from press conference-
Question: Did recruiting Chicago have anything to do with it and will the next coach have stronger ties with Chicago?
Answer: Chicago is important...
He believes in the current players, understands they are disappointed. He understands there is a chance some may not want to stay.Comment
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Too bad. IMO BW is a class act. Would like to see Howard as the next coach.What part of illegal don't you understand?Comment
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