Bruce Weber to Stay with Illinois Fighting Illini

Rumors surfaced Wednesday that the Illinois men's head basketball coach was a candidate for the job, but announced Thursday he would remain with the team.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:18 pm

By: News On 6

Bruce Weber to Stay with Illinois Fighting Illini

Originally Published: Mar 31, 2011 4:58 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Illinois head coach Bruce Weber has announced Thursday that he will stay with the Illini, after rumors surfaced he was a candidate for the vacant Oklahoma Sooners’ men’s basketball position.

"I remain committed to the University of Illinois,” Weber said in the statement. “I enjoyed being in the gym with our returning players and look forward to welcoming a talented recruiting class to the mix. I am fortunate to have one of the elite jobs in all of college basketball and am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our program.”

Weber now joins the list of candidates that have turned down Oklahoma’s offers to take over for the recently-fired Jeff Capel, including Marquette’s Buzz Williams and UNLV’s Lon Kruger.

Thursday morning, sources told Oklahoma Sports that UCO head coach Terry Evans was in Norman, Okla. interviewing for the same position.