Not surprisingly, Kansas State men's basketball coach Bruce Weber steps down after a third consecutive losing season that ended with a six-game losing streak. More revealing was a telling six-minute plus monologue during the post-game presser where he revealed that he let his grow in protest of the NCAA not coming down on schools (Bill Self, University of Kansas) involved in a long-running FBI investigation. "We won titles. We did it the right way,” Weber said. "I was told they were going to take care of the people in the FBI stuff, so I told somebody I’m going to grow my hair until something happens."
It seemed straight out of the old Nick Nolte movie Blue Chips. Weber also commented on negativity surrounding the Kansas State program during his nine-year tenure that resulted in a 184-147 record highlighted by a 2019 Elite Eight appearance.
“This is the only school I’ve been associated with that I tell our recruits to avoid our social media. I’m afraid of what they will see." Weber choked up talking about his family's humble beginnings on Milwaukee's Northwest side, where his father steered he and his two brothers into successful careers in coaching and teaching. He referred to his faith and considers himself a 'miracle'.
In 24 seasons as head coach at Southern Illinois, Illinois and Kansas State, Weber compiled a 407-301 record including 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. His 2006 Illinois team lost the National Championship game to the University of North Carolina. Weber leaves Kansas State with one year left on his contract and is reportedly receiving a $1 million buyout.