Chicago Colleges Report

Weber's patience pays off at KSU

April, 5, 2012

4/05/12

5:25

PM CT

By Andy Katz | ESPNChicago.com

Bruce Weber had quite a week, easily the richest in his life and possibly the most hectic.

How many people can say they got to keep $3.9 million from their previous job (Illinois) and then were hired for a new gig (Kansas State) for $8.5 million over five years?

[+] Enlarge
Bruce Weber

Bo Rader/Wichita Eagle/Getty ImagesBruce Weber was not unemployed for very long, out of a job for less than a month.

Well, probably only a handful of coaches in sports and Hollywood actors, among a few select professions.

"I had a good week last week," Weber said.

Weber was fired last month from Illinois. He said he was shocked over the way the season ended. But the Illini had floundered down the stretch and a blowout loss at Nebraska in February seemed to spell doom.

A season ago, he decided against pursuing openings at Oklahoma and Missouri. He wanted to stay as coach of the Illini and Meyers Leonard. His wife, Megan, didn't want to leave Champaign. Daughter Emily was finishing her freshman year at Illinois.

But the season spiraled out of control after a strong start that included wins over Gonzaga and Ohio State. Illinois lost 12 of its last 14 games.

Read the entire story.

Andy Katz | email

Senior Writer, ESPN.com

Senior college basketball writer for ESPN.com
22 years covering college basketball, including on TV
Former president of U.S. Basketball Writers Association

Tags:

Illinois Fighting Illini, Basketball, Big Ten, Bruce Weber, Kansas State Wildcats

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