Bruce Weber, the former Illinois coach, was warmly welcomed back to Champaign on Monday evening. He returned as a broadcaster for the Big Ten Network, covering the Illinois-Arkansas-Little Rock game. Weber, who led Illinois from 2003 to 2012, received a standing ovation from the fans at State Farm Center when he was introduced. Illinois triumphed 92-34, improving their season record to 5-1.
Weber had a successful tenure at Illinois, compiling a 210-101 record. Under his leadership, the Fighting Illini made six NCAA Tournament appearances and reached the National Championship game in 2005. He also guided Illinois to two Big Ten regular-season titles and a Big Ten Tournament championship in 2005. The team only had one losing season during his nine years in charge.
After leaving Illinois, Weber coached at Kansas State from 2012 to 2022, where he won two Big 12 titles and reached the NCAA Tournament five times. His overall coaching record stands at 497-302. Before becoming a head coach, Weber spent 19 years as an assistant coach under Gene Keady, first at Western Kentucky and later at Purdue, where he worked from 1980 to 1998.
Bruce Weber
Weber’s coaching career began at Southern Illinois, where he spent five seasons, earning a 103-54 record and making two NCAA Tournament appearances. He eventually became a respected figure in college basketball, and after his coaching career, Weber transitioned into a role as an analyst for the Big Ten Network.
Throughout his career, Weber’s impact on college basketball was significant, from his success at Illinois and Kansas State to his role as an assistant coach at Purdue. His legacy continues as he shares his insights as a basketball analyst.
