Bruce Weber fired

[lake Camelot]

I'd like to see Bruce back at Southern. I like the Valley as strong as possible. I really enjoyed the Valley being back this year and I hope Bradley can join the top competition in the future.

[Da Coach]

There are not a lot of black head coaches among the top 25 or top 50 teams. Frank Haith, Anthony Grant, Leonard Hamilton, and John Thompson are ones Illinois should consider. Most of them have pretty good jobs where they are.

[cpacmel]

I have read that he does not have the minimum qualifications- which included a college degree.

He has a college degree

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/high-school/post/_/id/2747/simeons-smith-makes-pitch-for-illini-job

Smith, who has a bachelor's degree from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, has proved he can win at the high school level and produce college players. He has a 227-37 record and won four state championships in eight years at Simeon. The Wolverines are nationally ranked this season with a 30-1 record and are the favorites to win their third consecutive Class 4A state title.

[lake Camelot]

There are not a lot of black head coaches among the top 25 or top 50 teams. Frank Haith, Anthony Grant, Leonard Hamilton, and John Thompson are ones Illinois should consider. Most of them have pretty good jobs where they are.

Thompson may be good, but I am not sure if he has any midwest ties. Is Illinois a better job that Georgetown? Of course most prospects can say that at this point. I think Hamilton is too old.

By the way I find this interesting seeing who Illinois hires. But I feel weird discussing it because I am not an Illinois basketball fan. I am a big football fan But as far as basketball I would rather they be good than bad so I have decent games to watch when we get them but it is no big deal to me.

[Buesch N Chips]

I HATE Gregg Marshall. Keep him away.

[Da Coach]

He has a college degree

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/high...for-illini-job

Interesting. I had never head of that school. Do you think Illinois will hire a high school coach? We all know why his name is even in this discussion (Jabari Parker), and it has little to do with his ability to coach.

[Guest]

frank martin

I think Frank Martin would be a great hire..he has the intensity and fire that they lacked as a team as a whole..solid staff and it would take a lot of cheese to get him here..but they are gonna pay a lot to get any big names though.

[cpacmel]

Interesting. I had never head of that school. Do you think Illinois will hire a high school coach? We all know why his name is even in this discussion (Jabari Parker), and it has little to do with his ability to coach.

He isn't going to get the job. Why is his name even in the discussion? Because he put it out there?

He is a pretty good coach. If he serious about coaching at the college level he needs to aim lower than Illinois for his first job or start out as an asst (something he is on record as saying he doesn't want to do).

[Da Coach]

I think Frank Martin would be a great hire..he has the intensity and fire that they lacked as a team as a whole..solid staff and it would take a lot of cheese to get him here..but they are gonna pay a lot to get any big names though.

Martin would be a great choice.

[Da Coach]

Another article with a list of candidates-

http://www.kansascw.com/kscw/news/ct-spt-0310-candidates-illinois-basketball--20120310,0,1882062.story

Potential candidates include:

Mick Cronin, Cincinnati
Scott Drew, Baylor
Anthony Grant, Alabama
Stan Heath, South Florida
Gregg Marshall, Wichita State
Frank Martin, Kansas State
Shaka Smart, VCU
Brad Stevens, Butler

Note that a couple of these have previous relationships with Illinois AD Mike Thomas. Mick Cronin was hired at Cincinnati when Thomas was the AD there. And Shaka Smart was an assistant coach at Akron when Thomas was the AD there.

Here is one other name, though not a serious possibility, IMO-

http://www.csnchicago.com/preps/news/Eddie-Johnson-wants-Illinois-job?blockID=666826&feedID=629

[Bravesfan]

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!!!!

That doesn't say a lot regarding UIUC fans. I can understand them not knowing who Shaka Smart was before last season's NCAA Tournament. But by now many STILL don't know who he is? I guess that goes to show people that a lot of college basketball fans still have a hatred of any team outside of the BCS conferences!

[Bravesfan]

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 buyout

Not a bad "severence" package! I think Weber can retire to anywhere he wants. But somehow I think he will be back coaching in the Valley if only to torment us!

[Bravesfan]

I think it is a pretty sure bet that Sammy is leaving.


BTW, Sammy, like Weber, is 100% class-
https://twitter.com/#!/SamManiscalco...40215301898240

Well isn't he out of eligibility anyway? He can stay at the school for one more year until he receives his Master's Degree, but I don't think he has any more playing eligibility left.

[Bravesfan]

Exactly- that is why I can't believe Theus will even be considered. The AD needs to consider much more important and long term factors like who can he get to go up against the Bo Ryans, Tome Izzos, and Thad Mattas of the league (coaching and recruiting), and there is nothing in Theus' history to suggest he can.

Plus you think they would want to go with a younger coach who has more recent experience. That's why Shaka Smart would make sense if they want to go with an African-American coach (or at least half African-American in Shaka's case). Seems like the smart move, no pun intended.

[bradleybraves1]

I think Weber ... will be back coaching in the Valley if only to torment us!

If he stays unemployed long enough he might even end up at Bradley if Geno can't right the ship by year 5...