Weber looking for coaching help

One day after Tracy Webster left for Kentucky's bluegrassier pastures, Illinois coach Bruce Weber took a break Thursday from his incessantly ringing cell phone to outline the search for his new assistant.

And, no, it won't be Dee Brown.

"Unless the school comes up with $750 thousand or more to match his NBA salary," Weber said with a laugh, "I would think he might want to (keep playing). I think he'll go another 10 or more years."

While Brown's out of the picture for the foreseeable future, someone similar to him sounds like Weber's ultimate target.

"I hope it's a younger guy to add to the mix of our staff," Weber said. "It's imperative to get a person that will sell Illinois, that has a passion for Illinois. Someone who can create a good relationship with the Chicago coaches and, really, throughout the state."

However, it's important to note Webster's replacement won't necessarily hail from Chicago.

That suggests a connected candidate such as Troy Collier, a Danville native and Eastern Illinois graduate who just lost his job when Ronny Thompson "resigned" at Ball State, might be a good match.

That would allow Weber to make a gentlemanly hire that doesn't wreck another head coach's staff, though that's not necessarily his first priority.

"I've still got to look out for Illinois and our program," Weber said, "but at the same time respect what other programs have. It's a difficult deal, to be honest."

Weber hopes to have his man within the next two weeks, but sooner if possible since the crucial fall contact period starts Sunday and runs through Oct. 5. Illinois has two open scholarships to fill on next year's roster.