Bruce Weber (coach)
Encyclopedia
Bruce Brett Weber is an American college basketball coach. Weber is the head coach
of the University of Illinois
men's basketball
team. Weber has led the program to two outright Big Ten Conference
championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament
, including an appearance in the championship game of the 2005 NCAA Tournament
.
during the 1979-80 season under head coach Gene Keady
. In 1980 Weber moved to Purdue University
along with Keady. He remained an assistant coach at Purdue for 18 seasons before becoming the head coach at Southern Illinois University
in 1998. In his five seasons at Southern Illinois Weber led the Salukis to consecutive Missouri Valley Conference
championships and NCAA tournament appearances, including an NCAA Sweet Sixteen
finish in 2002.
On April 30, 2003, after a nation-wide search, Illinois Athletic Director Ron Guenther
selected Bruce Weber to fill the men's basketball head coach position at the University of Illinois.
The Illini played a tough early season game against North Carolina
on December 2 in Greensboro, and were tied at 69 with just six minutes to go. Illinois eventually lost the game 88-81, but it proved to be a good test for the young team with no seniors in the starting lineup. Weber faced his toughest test after starting the conference schedule with an even 3–3 mark. He changed many doubters' minds by winning the remaining ten games on the conference schedule, winning the Big Ten title outright for the first time since 1952. In post-season play, the Illini finished second, losing to Wisconsin
in the championship game. They received a bid for a fifth seed in the 2004 NCAA Tournament
, defeating Murray State and Cincinnati in the first two rounds. A 72–62 loss to top-seeded Duke
ended their tournament run, but capped a solid first season for coach Weber.
, 91-73, at Assembly Hall. Weber sported a glowing orange blazer for the game, and Assembly Hall was painted orange by the 16,618 fans wearing school colors. The pressure grew for Weber as the victory vaulted the Illini to the top spot in the polls the following week, a spot they would carry for the rest of the season. Regular season perfection ended on the last game of the regular season, however, as Illinois lost a 12-point, second-half lead to Ohio State
and lost to the Thad Matta
-coached Buckeyes, 65–64. In the post-season tournaments they quickly regained form, however, by winning the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago.
In the 2005 NCAA Tournament
the team received the overall top seed, and top seed in the Midwestern Regional. Illinois defeated Farleigh Dickinson
and Nevada in the first two rounds in Indianapolis. In the Sweet Sixteen Weber led the Illini to a victory over his alma-mater Milwaukee, then defeated the Arizona to advance to the Final Four. After leading Illinois to a win over Louisville in the Final Four, Weber could not deliver the Fighting Illini
their first national championship, falling 75–70 to North Carolina
in the national championship game.
Weber coached the team to the best record in school history, finishing 37–2, and tying the NCAA record for most wins in a season. Weber won many coaching awards after the season, including the Naismith Award
and Henry Iba Award.
. The 2006–2007 season had a disappointing start, including the first 3-game losing streak in Weber's tenure. However, the Illini rebounded to finish 23–11 and again qualify for the NCAA tournament. The 2006–2007 season did, however, bring some disappointment off of the court, as guard Jamar Smith was the driver in an accident that left center Brian Carlwell injured. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2772512 Smith eventually pled guilty to aggravated DUI and received a 15-day jail sentence. http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/05/25/sports/doc46560c233163c389906344.txt The 2007–2008 season marked the first time during Weber's tenure that the Illini did not qualify for a postseason tournament, finishing the season with an overall record of 16–19, 5–13 in the Big Ten Conference. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/859113,CST-SPT-ill25.article The team improved markedly the following year, however, finishing 24–10 (11–7 in the Big Ten) and returning to NCAA Tournament. Weber's NCAA record since the 2005 season has been a disappointing 1-3, with the most recent appearance being an upset in the first round at the hands of 12th ranked Western Kentucky. The 2007 campaign saw Weber's first absence in a post-season tournament while at Illinois, and the first time since 1998 that the Illini failed to qualify. Weber subsequently came under fire for poor recruiting. During the first seven years of his tenure, the Illini signed only three consensus top 100 student athletes. More recently, sharply improved recruiting, with nine consensus top 100 players in the last three classes, has given Illinois fans some hope.
in education
. He was the catcher for UW–Milwaukee's varsity baseball team, and also attempted to walk-on to the Panthers basketball team, but was subsequently cut. Weber added a master's degree
in education administration and physical education from Western Kentucky University
in 1981. He is married to Megan Weber, and has three daughters - Hannah, Christy and Emily. In 2006, Weber signed a deal with Illinois to extend his contract through 2010. In May, 2009, Weber received another extension, through the 2014-15 season.
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
men's basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team. Weber has led the program to two outright Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
championships and six trips to the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
, including an appearance in the championship game of the 2005 NCAA Tournament
2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 2005, and ended with the championship game on April 4 at the Edward Jones Dome in St...
.
Coaching
Weber began his coaching career with a brief stint as an assistant coach at Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
during the 1979-80 season under head coach Gene Keady
Gene Keady
Lloyd Eugene "Gene" Keady is a basketball coach. Currently an assistant coach at St. John's, he is most notable for being the head basketball coach at Purdue University for 25 years, from 1980 to 2005.-Kansas State :...
. In 1980 Weber moved to Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
along with Keady. He remained an assistant coach at Purdue for 18 seasons before becoming the head coach at Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...
in 1998. In his five seasons at Southern Illinois Weber led the Salukis to consecutive Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
championships and NCAA tournament appearances, including an NCAA Sweet Sixteen
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
finish in 2002.
On April 30, 2003, after a nation-wide search, Illinois Athletic Director Ron Guenther
Ron Guenther
Ron Guenther is the former Director of Athletics for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is best known for the hiring of Fighting Illini athletics coaches, the development of the men's tennis team into a national power , and the development of many athletics facilities...
selected Bruce Weber to fill the men's basketball head coach position at the University of Illinois.
The Illini played a tough early season game against North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
on December 2 in Greensboro, and were tied at 69 with just six minutes to go. Illinois eventually lost the game 88-81, but it proved to be a good test for the young team with no seniors in the starting lineup. Weber faced his toughest test after starting the conference schedule with an even 3–3 mark. He changed many doubters' minds by winning the remaining ten games on the conference schedule, winning the Big Ten title outright for the first time since 1952. In post-season play, the Illini finished second, losing to Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are the collegiate athletic teams from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This NCAA Division I athletic program has teams in football, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming, wrestling, track and field, rowing, golf, and softball...
in the championship game. They received a bid for a fifth seed in the 2004 NCAA Tournament
2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2004, and ended with the championship game on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,...
, defeating Murray State and Cincinnati in the first two rounds. A 72–62 loss to top-seeded Duke
Duke Blue Devils men's basketball
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
ended their tournament run, but capped a solid first season for coach Weber.
2004-05 season
The 2005 season opened with high expectations and the return of all the team's starters. On December 1 the Illini defeated the number-one ranked team, Wake Forest UniversityWake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
, 91-73, at Assembly Hall. Weber sported a glowing orange blazer for the game, and Assembly Hall was painted orange by the 16,618 fans wearing school colors. The pressure grew for Weber as the victory vaulted the Illini to the top spot in the polls the following week, a spot they would carry for the rest of the season. Regular season perfection ended on the last game of the regular season, however, as Illinois lost a 12-point, second-half lead to Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
and lost to the Thad Matta
Thad Matta
Thad Matta is an American college basketball coach. He is the current head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team. He was hired as the 13th head coach in Ohio State history on July 7, 2004 after the school had fired previous coach Jim O'Brien...
-coached Buckeyes, 65–64. In the post-season tournaments they quickly regained form, however, by winning the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago.
In the 2005 NCAA Tournament
2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2005 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 2005, and ended with the championship game on April 4 at the Edward Jones Dome in St...
the team received the overall top seed, and top seed in the Midwestern Regional. Illinois defeated Farleigh Dickinson
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university founded as a junior college in 1942. It now has several campuses located in New Jersey, Canada, and the United Kingdom.-Description:...
and Nevada in the first two rounds in Indianapolis. In the Sweet Sixteen Weber led the Illini to a victory over his alma-mater Milwaukee, then defeated the Arizona to advance to the Final Four. After leading Illinois to a win over Louisville in the Final Four, Weber could not deliver the Fighting Illini
2005 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
The 2004–05 Illinois Fighting Illini, the 100th season of men's basketball at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in recent college history...
their first national championship, falling 75–70 to North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
The North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is considered one of the most successful programs in NCAA history...
in the national championship game.
Weber coached the team to the best record in school history, finishing 37–2, and tying the NCAA record for most wins in a season. Weber won many coaching awards after the season, including the Naismith Award
Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year Award is an award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to one men's and one women's NCAA Division I collegiate coach each season since 1987...
and Henry Iba Award.
2005 and beyond
Despite losing three starters to the NBA, the Illini finished the 2005–2006 season with a 26–7 record and reached the second round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2005–06 basketball season...
. The 2006–2007 season had a disappointing start, including the first 3-game losing streak in Weber's tenure. However, the Illini rebounded to finish 23–11 and again qualify for the NCAA tournament. The 2006–2007 season did, however, bring some disappointment off of the court, as guard Jamar Smith was the driver in an accident that left center Brian Carlwell injured. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2772512 Smith eventually pled guilty to aggravated DUI and received a 15-day jail sentence. http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/05/25/sports/doc46560c233163c389906344.txt The 2007–2008 season marked the first time during Weber's tenure that the Illini did not qualify for a postseason tournament, finishing the season with an overall record of 16–19, 5–13 in the Big Ten Conference. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/859113,CST-SPT-ill25.article The team improved markedly the following year, however, finishing 24–10 (11–7 in the Big Ten) and returning to NCAA Tournament. Weber's NCAA record since the 2005 season has been a disappointing 1-3, with the most recent appearance being an upset in the first round at the hands of 12th ranked Western Kentucky. The 2007 campaign saw Weber's first absence in a post-season tournament while at Illinois, and the first time since 1998 that the Illini failed to qualify. Weber subsequently came under fire for poor recruiting. During the first seven years of his tenure, the Illini signed only three consensus top 100 student athletes. More recently, sharply improved recruiting, with nine consensus top 100 players in the last three classes, has given Illinois fans some hope.
Head coaching record
Personal
Weber was born in Milwaukee to Louis and Dawn Weber, growing up with two sisters and two brothers. Weber graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1978 with a bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. He was the catcher for UW–Milwaukee's varsity baseball team, and also attempted to walk-on to the Panthers basketball team, but was subsequently cut. Weber added a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in education administration and physical education from Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
in 1981. He is married to Megan Weber, and has three daughters - Hannah, Christy and Emily. In 2006, Weber signed a deal with Illinois to extend his contract through 2010. In May, 2009, Weber received another extension, through the 2014-15 season.