How much is a Sweet Sixteen NCAA tournament bid, a 28-8 final season record and four consecutive winning seasons worth? That question is for the University to answer. But there is no question that the men's basketball team is in the good hands with Coach Bruce Weber in charge.
The Salukis have compiled a 79-47 record since Weber took over in 1998-99. Prior to that, their last winning season was in 1994-95 when the team finished 23-9, including a NCAA tournament appearance. Excellence should be reward, and Weber is expected to be rewarded with a contract extension for an outstanding job.
Their 28 wins this season is the most in school history, and Weber has become a hot ticket in the college coaching ranks following the Salukis' March 22 tourney loss to the University of Connecticut. Universities such as West Virginia have expressed interest in Weber. SIU appears to be his first choice.
Weber's current contract expires next summer. A possible extension is in the works, but there is no guarantee he will remain with SIU during the duration of the contract. Rewarding successful coaches with contract extensions is nothing new. But SIU's current fiscal problems has forced the University to tighten its belts across department lines.
The Saluki coach earns $200,000 a year in salary. Compared to coaching peers, a modest salary increase will not put Weber in the financial pantheon of high-priced coaches, nor would it break SIU's bank. In fact, the team's on-the-court success has already led to a jump in alumni dollars, according to officials of the SIU Foundation.
In terms of recruitment, prospective high school athletes want to play for winning program. A university's success in its athletic program almost always translates into some form of financial windfall for the entire institution. This is not to say that SIU's financial stake rests solely in its sports programs, the men's basketball team specifically, or who its head coach is.
SIU does, however, have an opportunity to capitalize on its recent notoriety. Maintaining continuity at this time is both imperative and intelligent. The team's success is also a testament to Weber's relationship with his players. The old saying, "the team is a reflection of its coach," demonstrates how the team has responded to Weber, and his ability to get them to play to their potential. This was evident during the Salukis' "Dream Season."
Also, another old saying, "what have you done for me lately," applies more so in sports than in any other profession. All Weber did was coach his team to the Sweet Sixteen, a goal that was actually set before the start of 2001-02 season. The University cannot worry about the future. For SIU, the future is now. And that includes keeping Bruce Weber in the fold.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
