A quick look around the college basketball coaching ranks brought a lot of high praise for Kansas State's hiring of Bruce Weber over the weekend despite the mixed reviews from sportswriters and fans. Weber replaces the popular Frank Martin who took more money and the lure of a challenge at South Carolina in a surprise move. Weber was just fired from the University of Illinois, so it will be interesting to have Weber back in the shadow of Kansas head coach Bill Self as well as Martin's own looming memory. Here are some takes from around the NCAA coaching ranks:
"No doubt Bruce Weber is a perfect fit for the K-State basketball program," said Steve Lavin. "He is a proven winner, tireless recruiter and man of great integrity. K-State hit a home run with the hiring of Bruce Weber and the Wildcat Nation will be pleased with the direction of the program for years to come."
Tom Izzo also loved the move and said, "Bruce is an incredible, incredible person. He does things the right way. He’s won more games as a percentage than anybody. He’s beat me and my team more often than not. I’ve recruited against him and lost, and I’ve recruited against him and won, and (it) hasn’t changed things."
Purdue's Matt Painter said, ""Bruce is a great coach and he’s a better person. If it wasn’t for him and Coach Keady, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’ve learned a lot of basketball and I’ve learned a lot about life and how to treat people from Coach Weber. You’re not going to find a better guy."
Check out the rest of the round-up over at K-State's website. Only time will tell whether these quotes are accurate or whether the doubters had it right. Ask Missouri's Frank Haith what people are saying at this point compared to last year.