As expected.
http://espn.go.com/chicago/ncb/story/_/id/7664755/illinois-fighting-illini-bruce-weber-loses-job
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OT - Bruce Weber Fired
March 9th, 2012 at 10:38 AM
#1
OT - Bruce Weber Fired
March 9th, 2012 at 10:42 AM
#2
I'm sure the Illini will be
I'm sure the Illini will be watching Shaka very closely during the Tourney this year.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:47 AM
#3
From the article:
Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas is expected to go after VCU's Shaka Smart to be the next coach. The two men once worked together at Akron.
That would be an exciting hire for them, no doubt. I wonder if Smart has any ties to Illinois (the state). The Illini won't be his only option, I have to believe.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:26 AM
#4
Shaka Smart
I do not believe he is going anywhere, however things could change. He has ties to Chicago which he views sort of as his second hometown but that is where his ties end. Champagne is 140 miles away from Chicago and from what I've heard isn't an amazing city, perhaps quite the opposite. Shaka has said repeatedly he is happy where he is, and that more importantly, his wife is really happy. They just had a daughter and he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who is looking to bolt.
Here is a recent interview with Smart if any of you guys are interested. He is saying all the right things and I see no reason not to belive him.
http://www.93xmemphis.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5725514
His interview starts at the 42:25 mark
March 9th, 2012 at 11:40 AM
#5
The Illinois job is
The Illinois job is considerably better than the ones he turned down last year though, which makes it a little more interesting. I mean, Bruce Weber wasn't considered a great recruiter and Illinois still pulled top 15 recruiting classes the last few years. If Smart keeps Jerrance Howard (who is a Friend Of Wes) around he'll have zero problems recruting the Chicago area -- he'll actually do better than Weber did there in all likelihood.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:22 PM
#6
Better than Maryland?
I think those two jobs are on the same level except that Maryland won a National title. NC State is also more prestigious. Shaka Smart is a great and relentless recruiter so recruiting should not be a problem wherever he ends up. Another big part is that Smart needs to get guys that will committ to pressing after every made basket. His "Havoc" style is not for everyone and recruiting higher profiled players comes with more attitude and selfishness. Smart has repeatedly said the grass is not always greener on the other side.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:51 PM
#7
I totally disagree about
I totally disagree about Maryland and NC State. Maybe ten years ago for Maryland, but not now. And not NC State since Jimmy V died. Neither of those schools have been relevent in a decade.
Illinois has a much stronger athletic department than either of those schools, fewer recruiting obstacles and a better conference with the BTN. I bet Illinois can pay more, too.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:43 AM
#8
I don't know much about Shaka
I don't know much about Shaka Smart, but money talks, and wives generally speaking, like money.
Yeah Champaign is kinda dull, but Urbana whoa daddy, Urabana is kinda like Paris in the heartland of the USA. At least that is what they will tell Mrs. Smart.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:20 PM
#9
Like Sammy says (Hagar, not Davis Jr.):
Money talks and bullshit walks...
March 9th, 2012 at 12:25 PM
#10
Money
VCU has shown that they are willing to pay him and he is not the type of person that will leave just because of money. NC State offered double what VCU is paying him (which is 1.2 million annually, not including incentives). Also, Richmond is not some terrible city in its own right and Ms. Smart is a Harvard grad herself so she knows what she likes aswell.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:50 AM
#11
If he's actually smart, he will jump
If not this season than next. He's one of, if not the hottest commodity out there right now. VCU is never going to pay him as much as a high major would.
In addition, there's no guarantee that his success at VCU would have continued. VCU was a bubble team this year that managed to win their tourney and lock up an auto bid. There's no guarantee of continued success, and as previously mentioned, he's the hottest commodity out there right now, his stock is peaking.
As a cautionary tale, look at Brad Stevens and Butler. They didn't make the tourney this year in a not so great Horizon league, and while I would bet that many teams would be happy to poach him, how do you think they will feel if Butler misses the tourney next year as well?
I'm not saying that he should go to Illinois, but he's going to have his pick of the openings this year. I don't see him saying no if Calhoun retired and the UConn position opened up.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
#12
I'm not saying
that he will never leave it's just that now is not the time. One senior is graduating from a team that just won their conference tournament. The team will be stacked next year, in addition to a very solid recruiting class coming in. I think he'll stick around for at least another year and then take a higher major job. Until then, VCU will compensate him fairely.
Another point about Brad Stevens and Smart. They're both incredibly young. There is no sense of urgency for them to take these high major jobs. They have safe jobs now and they'll have time to impress again if they fall short of expectations one or two years in a row.
March 9th, 2012 at 3:37 PM
#13
Right, but they should still get out while the gettin is good.
Here's the flip side. SIU was nationally ranked and made the Sweet Sixteen, then tailspinned and never recovered. Now their HC is fired and will probably have to do a complete rebuild at another mid/low major in order to even work his way back up.
I'll reiterate that Shaka Smart is probably at the peak or very near it in terms of his percieved value, there's probably nothing short of a final 4 run that would increase that value (which, let's face it, probably won't happen). I'd argue that Stevens's stock has been depressed this year with Butler struggling. Perception can be a fickle thing.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
#14
Totally agree regarding the
Totally agree regarding the city of Champagne. I visited there in hs when i was applying to colleges, and they were high on my list of schools because of their engineering program, but I didn't even apply after i visited the campus. It's extremely boring, everything is spread apart, and surrounded by endless miles of nothing. Not the best college campus.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
#15
$ amnt
what would a realistic figure be for Smart to accept?
March 9th, 2012 at 12:31 PM
#16
I know
that it is hard to believe but this guy is not about the money. He'll leave when he thinks the time is right and I can assure you he won't go to the highest bidder. He is recieving 1.2 Million /year at VCU and that is below what the market had demanded.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:34 PM
#17
so at least $2m
what does the football coach get?
anytime anyone says its not about the money...
$2m per for 6 years is a very good argument
March 9th, 2012 at 12:38 PM
#18
No football team
which is another thing he likes, a total commitment to basketball. NC State offered him a little more than 2 million a year for a number of years last year, and he turned it down
March 9th, 2012 at 12:57 PM
#19
NC state b-ball coach
if he accepted the NC state job he would be mark dantonio
behind Duke, N.C.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:27 AM
#20
Yikes. Shaka Smart with a
Yikes. Shaka Smart with a higher level talent base to recruit from sounds kinda intimidating...
March 9th, 2012 at 1:31 PM
#21
Smart's only been a head
Smart's only been a head coach for three years, and he did not have to build up the VCU program (his two predecessors there were also very successful and moved on to bigger jobs). He's not necessarily a sure thing.
March 9th, 2012 at 4:39 PM
#22
I actually played high school
I actually played high school ball with Shaka at Oregon, WI. He was always a super driven guy that worked harder than anyone else even though he had limited size and jumping ability.
I really can't see him not wanting the Illinios job if he's up for it. He's a smart guy and it's pretty cool to see him doing so well.
Just one quick story about Shaka.... We would play pickup games all summer up in Madison and he would always be calling these ticky-tack fouls that no one else would EVER call in a pickup game. He had a break-away layup one time and I was the only one back. He tried to take it right up in my face and I just absoloutly stuffed him (i'm 6'4" and could jump back then) and he was all "foul"... He was a senior and I a sophomore so I was pretty pissed. A couple plays later I got a break-away and he was back. I dunked on him with two hands knocked him on his butt and I was all "foul?".. Anyway that's what I'll always remember about Shaka.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:43 AM
#23
Beilein better have some meetings
At the end of each season, a number of jobs open up. If you don't think Michigan assistants are going to be big targets, you're crazy.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
#24
Although I am certain Bacari
Although I am certain Bacari Alexander will be a HC on the college level, I don't think it will be next season. I think Bacari sticks around at least one more season in order to get to work with Mitch McGary.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:43 AM
#25
I bet he is already eating
I bet he is already eating Captain Crunch in his underwear.
Solid Gold Baller.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:47 AM
#26
He
was actually doing that on the bench yesterday, but I think it was actually Crunch Berries.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:49 AM
#27
Whateva - Peanut Butter
Whateva - Peanut Butter Crunch is where it's at.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:23 AM
#28
who ever down voted this
needs to get their mind right. Peanut Butter Crunch is a top 10 cereal and that's a fact.
Damn you, anonymous interweb.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:17 PM
#29
1. Honey Nut Cherios
2. Strawberry Frosted Mini Wheats
3. Golden Grahams
4. Cinnamin Toast Crunch
5. Lucky Charms
6. Rice Crispies with excessive sugar
7. Cocoa Pebbles
8. Standard Frosted Min-Wheats
9. Raisin Bran with light sugar and bananas
10. Fruit Loops
It doesn't crack the top ten, maybe a top twenty cereal, but not top 10 (I didn't neg him though)
March 9th, 2012 at 12:57 PM
#30
While I agree that PB Crunch
While I agree that PB Crunch is not a top 10 cereal, your top 10 lookes like that of a 5 year old. You better watch out for the diabeetus with all that sugar.
I'm a standard Cheerios or Special K kind of guy, or Rice Crispies (no sugar needed, the taste is already great). I can get on board with Honey Nut Cheerios or Fruit Loops though.
March 9th, 2012 at 1:09 PM
#31
Wheat Chex.
Steel-cut oats. Bob's Red Mill seven grain.
Man am I out of place here.
March 9th, 2012 at 1:00 PM
#32
1. Waffle Crisp 2. Cinnamon
1. Waffle Crisp 2. Cinnamon Toast Crunch 3. Lucky Charms 4. Cap'n Crunch: Crunch Berries 5. Golden Grahams 6. Cocoa Puffs 7. Fruity Pebbles 8. Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs 9. Apple Cinnamon Cheerio's 10. Oh's
Don't argue with this. I know breakfast cereal like TheMathlete knows the order of operations, like Brian knows how to turn a phrase, and like Temendous knows recruiting.
I am...
THE KNOWLEDGE of the morning meal...
Yes.
March 9th, 2012 at 2:29 PM
#33
I won't acknowledge a list
I won't acknowledge a list that doesn't have cinnamon life on it. As a freshman in the dorms, that was all 6 meals of the day.
March 9th, 2012 at 4:57 PM
#34
Cereal bracket anybody? I
Cereal bracket anybody? I like the 13 seed Frosted Mini Wheats over the 4 seed Froot Loops. FMW have a solid foundation of nutrition and flavor and have the fiber to knock out the Loops.
March 9th, 2012 at 8:31 PM
#35
I'm in
and I'm going with FMW as well in any battle over those Froot Loops. BucWheats (RIP) could've whipped all their asses, if it hadn't disappeared from store shelves. Lucky Charms rules them all, with the Crunch trio coming in 2/3/4. Stay away from the new Krave things, though - I think they just fired their coach. Couldn't finish a bowl of it, it was so bad.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:44 AM
#36
He gone.
He gone.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:45 AM
#37
Farewell to the many faces of
Farewell to the many faces of Bruce
March 9th, 2012 at 10:45 AM
#38
Fired for Selfish reasons
I imagine.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:48 AM
#39
That is so bad...
that it's good.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:49 AM
#40
/zook'd
/zook'd
March 9th, 2012 at 11:04 AM
#41
He'll be alright
Bruce Weber, Ron Zook and GERG are going to start a men's only club called "Silvers' ". It will be a cash cow and there is only one requirement for admission.
That's right, baby. Our cruisers can't repel mane of that magnitude.
March 9th, 2012 at 1:00 PM
#42
Concentrate all fire on
Concentrate all fire on Zook's rockin hairdo.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:50 AM
#43
After the year they just had...
March 9th, 2012 at 10:51 AM
#44
Bummer.
Bummer.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:56 AM
#45
this has been a terrible year
this has been a terrible year for illinois. both football and bball started out so promising, and then just fell apart.
March 9th, 2012 at 10:58 AM
#46
Illinois
It is both one of the most overrated jobs and underrated jobs in America. If you're the new coach there, you have to claim Chicago, and do it fast. I would play every "home" game when your students are on break at the United Center, try to get 6-7 per season there. Otherwise it is a recruiting wasteland...Champaign is really in the middle of nowhere.
Also not to troll, but this is not "OT," as it deals with a B1G team and a regular Michigan opponent.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:02 PM
#47
I don't think exposure is
I don't think exposure is Illinois's problem in Chicago; they cleaned up in Chicago when Henson was coaching and they played fewer games in the city then than now. The problem is that Weber was neither connected enough nor dirty enough to recruit the city.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:01 AM
#48
Who's surprised by this one?
Who's surprised by this one? Anyone? Bueller?
March 9th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
#49
Expensive offseason for the
Expensive offseason for the Illini. Replacing head coaches for both football and basketball. makes me appreciate the situation we are in with great coaches in both sports.
March 9th, 2012 at 11:11 AM
#50
I was lucky enough to be in
I was lucky enough to be in Champaign for grad school in the middle of Illinos' 2004-05 run. Weber was a by-the-book type guy who succumbed to the pressure to recruit big names at the expense of his own system. He'll be happier at a mid-major
March 9th, 2012 at 11:35 AM
#51
No one would be the least bit
No one would be the least bit surprised to see him right back at Southern Illinois.
