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Butler's Stevens Next On Illinois' List

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 23, 2012 9:40PM

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Butler men's basketball coach Brad Stevens, showing off his Jagger-like moves.
Could the third time be the charm for Illinois Athletic Director Mike Thomas? According to Jeff Rabjohns of the sports website Peegs.com, Illinois is looking at Butler men's basketball coach Brad Stevens to replace Bruce Weber.

VCU's Shaka Smart has already turned down Thomas' offer to succeed Weber. (It was believed Thomas was under pressure to hire a minority head coach, as Illinois is one of three Big Ten Schools who have never had one lead their basketball program.)

WSCR-AM afternoon co-host Dan Bernstein is reporting that Stevens would be interested if the contract package the university is offering is similar to what they offered Smart. Rabjohns is reporting no deal has been offered yet.

With Smart already spurning Thomas, speculation now centers on whether Thomas can find the best coach available. Stevens is one of the most talented young head coaches in college basketball. He became the youngest head coach to coach in an NCAA title game two years ago and the youngest head coach to make two Final Fours. His overall record in five seasons at the Indianapolis university is 139-40.