Former Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber to Interview with Southern Illinois

Published: 19^th Mar 12 5:33 pm

by Paul Seaver
College Basketball Network Manager

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Former Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber to Interview with Southern Illinois

Greg Bartram-US PRESSWIRE

On Mar. 2, Southern Illinois fired head coach Chris Lowery.

Now three weeks into their search for a new head man, the Salukis may be targeting former Illinois coach Bruce Weber.

Weber, who was released from his duties at Illinois on Mar. 9, is expected to interview with Southern Illinois and is widely being considered as one of the school’s top targets, according to this ESPN Chicago report.

Southern Illinois, who was not reached the NCAA Tournament since 2007, may be looking for a blast from the past.

Weber, who spent five seasons at SIU, before making the switch to Illinois, led the Salukis to a pair of NCAA Tournaments back in 2002 and 2003.

In nine seasons at Illinois, Weber reached the NCAA Tournament six times, including an appearance in the National Championship back in 2005.

However, the Illini have struggled over the course of the past five seasons, including a monumental collapse this past year. Illinois finished the 2011-12 season at 17-15 overall and 6-12 in the Big Ten.

The Illini lost 12 of their last 14 games, missing both the NCAA Tournament and NIT in the process.