Bruce Weber has been relieved of his head coaching duties at the University of Illinois, and as is the case with most sports-related topics, his firing has become a steady trend on Twitter. The social media era, if anything, has at least made one thing perfectly clear: the revolution may not be televised, but it will be talked about on Twitter.
According to reports, while getting fired is never good for your ego, don’t shed too many tears for Weber. His post-employment compensation package is nothing to turn your nose up at. The ex-coach’s buyout is $3.9 million spread out over three years. Weber’s overall record at Illinois was certainly not horrible–210-101–but his lack of success in recent seasons clearly contributed to his ouster.
Weber’s greatest accomplishment at Illinois is taking his first team to the NCAA Championship (with Bill Self’s players), a trip that gave us the following “fist” speech:
Much like the most popular comment points out, Weber’s stay at Illinois received mix reviews; the [sics] remain intact:
WHAT?!?! His first year he went to the national championship game with bill selfs players. FIVE YEARS LATER….. Bill self has all his players and wins a National Chapmionship. What is illinois doing?
Cmill1221 3 years ago 10 (image)
The mixed nature of the reaction to Weber’s firing is also evident on Twitter; although, it looks like the “nays” are winning:
A big thank you to Bruce Weber for all he has done for Illinois bball. He’s always been a huge supporter of the OK and our foundation. #ILL
First Ron Zook, now Bruce Weber just got fired by the Illini. Hopefully this will be a new beginning to the entire program.
worst decision illinois ever made. how can you fire bruce weber?!
Illini fired Bruce Weber…about time
Come back, Bruce – we still love you! http://t.co/eVOBo2kF
Thank god bruce weber has been fired.
…and just as mysteriously as Bruce Weber appeared, he vanished into the night.
As for Weber’s potential replacement, the masses, as well as some respected sources weighed in here, too:
i feel like the replacements for bruce weber many are speculating on are too smart to take the illinois job. it’s a trap.
For all those people calling Illinois a Top 10 job, why couldn’t they land anyone better than Bruce Weber when Self left?
That was quick: @danwolken reports that VCU’s Shaka Smart “is leaning” toward taking the Illinois job: http://t.co/TwnYiCkc
So there you have it. Any thoughts on who might replace Weber? If Shaka Smart does anything resembling last season’s Final Four run, the athletic department almost has to make a run at him, right? Oh, and not to rub salt in the wounds or anything, but Weber, at least in the lead image, looks like the “Okay Guy” face you see in so many Reddit memes.
