Breaking: All Signs Point To Bruce Weber

by dishingoutdimes on Mar 31, 2011 12:03 AM CDT in Basketball

Update (130 AM): It looks like most of the traditional media outlets are reporting this as being in the mutual interest stage. A couple of commenters on some Sooner sites who know an insider have indicated that Weber looks to be the guy and that Birchell's tweet below is legit. However, it also bears mentioning that Weber himself texted that there was "no real story". Of course, if I read what Weber texted, it sounds an awful lot like he's just playing coy until all the ducks are in a row. Unlike the Kruger story earlier today, when Lon was asked, he point-blank said that he refused the job, which immediately indicates there's more to this story.

Once again, nothing official, but more than we've seen since Capel was fired.

This was a tweet from KSBI sportscaster Brian Birchell about 20 minutes ago (edit, this tweet was deleted):

Source close to the OU program tells me tonight Bruce Weber will be named the next OU head coach as early as Friday...

Originally, I was a bit skeptical. There was no information for days and days, and all of a sudden we have a for-sure hire? However, it looks like Dean Blevins is saying the same thing:

I was told ystrdy morn OU was hoping/planning 4 Fri press conf 2 name new coach. After striking out w/Buzz, appears 2 b BruceWeber, Illinois

Now, this obviously isn't official. However, this seems to be a bit more than the Painter to Mizzou rumors, where he was "considering" things for a bit. The information wasn't about Weber and OU having interest, it was about an official announcement on Friday.

We shall see how things pan out over the next 24 hours. For all we know this could be another dead end rumor, but this is the most solid rumor I've seen yet. If things get closer to confirmation, we'll give you the rundown on Weber.

For Illinois coverage, here's the SBN blog Hail To The Orange.

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My source was correct!

I posted this in the thread below right before this broke. Yep I’m going to pat myself on the back on this one. lol

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by boomer1 on Mar 31, 2011 12:06 AM CDT reply actions

He/she said done deal?

How sure?

"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews

by dishingoutdimes on Mar 31, 2011 12:23 AM CDT up reply actions

All my friend said was that it was a done dea

Won’t tell me anything else.

by boomer1 on Mar 31, 2011 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Hmm

good stuff. That link that coolestbigmac posted below cuts against the grain of most rumoring right now.

There’s a lot of smoke with this one though. I bet Weber is just bs-ing because he can’t say anything prior to the official announcement.

"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews

by dishingoutdimes on Mar 31, 2011 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree on that point

Just wanted to get that link out there, but this definitely seems like a possibility

by coolestbigmac on Mar 31, 2011 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep thanks

your link just confirms that this is far from official yet

"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews

by dishingoutdimes on Mar 31, 2011 12:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Here's another tweet from John Moss at KTUL:

Multiple reports that Bruce Weber will be named OU Head Basketball coach as early as Friday. If true, Joe C. strikes again!

"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews

by dishingoutdimes on Mar 31, 2011 12:10 AM CDT reply actions

Lol not bad

Good job Joe c

by jbb10 on Mar 31, 2011 12:11 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Quick reaction article that says "No Real Story"

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/illini/article_a56df5b6-5b53-11e0-980f-00127992bc8b.html

by coolestbigmac on Mar 31, 2011 12:19 AM CDT reply actions

Bruce Weber trending worldwide on Twitter

Bizarre.

"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews

by dishingoutdimes on Mar 31, 2011 12:30 AM CDT reply actions

This rumor actually makes a fair amount of sense

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/4590496-419/illinois-bruce-weber-linked-to-oklahoma-job.html

As the Chicago Sun Times points out, Weber would have to replace 4 senior starters next year, and Illinois may be getting a new AD in June.

If he’s already feeling the heat about not producing championships recently and would have to retool his squad, he might figure it’s time to try something new.

"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews

by dishingoutdimes on Mar 31, 2011 12:58 AM CDT reply actions

Did we really learn nothing from the Painter to Mizzou deal?

I’d probably hold off on all the “done deal” talk for now.

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by Jordan Esco on Mar 31, 2011 9:48 AM CDT reply actions

Does anyone know much about Weber?

Is he known as a good recruiter? Is he more offensive or defensive minded? Is he a “players coach” or a “hard ass”? I am sure that I could look up most of this info myself but I am kind of limited on time (lazy). I was just wondering if anyone really knows anything about him besides just his record at Illinois. While his is not a name that had crossed my mind I am not opposed to this hire….I don’t think.

by tlaroq72 on Mar 31, 2011 10:54 AM CDT reply actions

From what I've heard/read

Good coach, bad recruiter.

"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz

Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans

by Jordan Esco on Mar 31, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

seems many think he’s a good coach and a poor recruiter. Did his best work with Bill Self’s kids, and has gotten steadily worse as he’s gone along.

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by Redhawk on Mar 31, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Recruiter

I know we need a good recruiter but I don’t think it really matters who is doing the recruiting at OU right now…It is just not going to be very high on a kids list of schools. At least not any top 100. That is fine though. If he is a good coach maybe he can find some kids that are under the radar and “coach em’ up”! IMO this is a very important hire….Not that we have to hire a coach that is going to be here for 10 years or longer. I think it is important that we get a guy in here that can make this a place that in 5 years a young and up and coming coach would be interested in….This is awful to have to say but just someone who can win 18-20 games and at least be a bubble team and be considered for the NCAA tournament…..Man 30-6 seems like 20 years ago doesn’t it?

by tlaroq72 on Mar 31, 2011 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions