Source: SIU targets Bruce Weber

Updated: March 19, 2012, 6:38 PM ET
By Scott Powers | ESPNChicago.com

Former Illinois coach Bruce Weber is expected to interview for Southern Illinois' vacancy and is one of the school's top targets, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Weber left Southern Illinois in 2003 to become Illinois' coach. Weber was 201-101 overall and coached the Illini to six NCAA tournaments, including the national championship game in 2005. He was fired on March 9.

Weber coached at SIU from 1998-2003. He reached two NCAA tournaments and went 103-56. It was Weber's first head coaching position after spending 18 seasons as a Purdue assistant coach.

Southern Illinois' position opened on March 2 when Chris Lowery was fired after eight seasons. The Salukis went to the Sweet 16 under Lowery in 2007, but he failed to reach the NCAA tournament again. Lowery was a former assistant to Weber at Illinois.

SIU's athletic director Mario Moccia has declined interview requests throughout the school's coaching search.

Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at spowers@espnchicago.com.

Scott Powers | email

Reporter
Scott Powers is a general reporter for ESPNChicago.com. He is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997.

SPONSORED HEADLINES

ESPN Conversations

comments

EDITORS' PICKS

  • Knocking Their Sox Off
    Jose Quintana took a no-hitter into the seventh, and the bullpen closed it out.
  • Return Spoiled
    Matt Garza allowed just one hit in five innings, but the bullpen imploded in the sixth.
  • Facing The Facts
    The Hawks know Game 4 has the potential to make or break the series.
  • Moving Forward
    With his contract expiring after next season, Luol Deng may be most valuable to the Bulls as trade bait.
  • Fitz Heralded
    Pat Fitzgerald could sell recruits on his career at Northwestern, but instead he lets his team do the talking, and it's working.

Facebook » Twitter »

MORE MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL HEADLINES