What do you think of Bruce Weber as coach at Illinois? Give us your view by visiting our home page at www.news-gazette.com and clicking on the "Bruce Weber: What do you think?" icon. Or e-mail us at sports@news-gazette.com. Some selected early responses: * "Excellent choice with bringing Bruce Weber to Champaign. His past experiences in the Big Ten and his record as head coach at Southern can only spell out success." Kyle Schlueter, Ogden * "I think this is a great move for the Illini. Weber is a great coach and should make a great impact right away. Being a Michigan fan, though, I still hope he loses to us." Garin Turner, Rantoul * "Get over Self leaving. Get over Judson not being hired. Get behind Weber." Doug Carroll, Chandler, Ariz. * "Great hire. One of the coaches I had on my list. I didn''t want Dana Altman. We have a Big Ten guy now!" Byron Baptist, Luray, Va. * "I think that Bruce Weber knows the X''s and O''s. His players love him, he''s a winner and he has extensive knowledge of the Big Ten. But can he recruit Chicago? Wayne McClain will be a huge asset, but his recruiting will make or break him." Brian Gordon, Charleston * "I think he was probably the most logical choice left. He has good stats and seems to have the attitude we need. I just hope the players accept and respect him and give him a chance. He deserves our support. We can''t blame anyone for following their dreams just because we have different ones. I want to wish Coach Self good luck and thanks for the memories. We all know it''s hard to keep class acts, even though temporarily he broke our hearts and dreams." James E. Roe, Monmouth * "Bruce Weber is a great choice. I believe he brings integrity and a sense of loyalty to a program that needs coaching stability. Can he recruit? How about Glenn Robinson and Brian Cardinal as examples? Check Purdue''s record while Weber was there compared to the past five years since he left for SIU. We are fortunate to get a coach who will take the Illini to the next level. Thanks to Ron Guenther for choosing another winner!" Donald Gerber, Champaign * "I think Bruce Weber is a good hire and a good fit. I think he is a player''s coach. I hear he has a great sense of humor. I''m looking forward to many great years with him as coach." Chuck Shaw, Urbana * "This is what I have come to expect of Ron Guenther. With the chance to grab a marquee name in the coaching ranks, he settles for Bruce Weber. Why not go after Kelvin Sampson, Ben Braun or even Billy Donovan? Try and persuade Sampson and Donovan to leave football-minded schools like Oklahoma and Florida for a basketball-minded school like Illinois. At least hire a guy who can recruit Chicago and has Illinois ties like Rob Judson. The next Illini job vacancy should be Guenther''s AD spot." Dustin Miles, Oakwood * "Weber accomplished more with his players at SIU than Bill Self did with his blue-chip Illini. Our players will not only be well-served by Weber, but they will improve under his tutorship." Sherry Steigmann, Urbana * "I have always liked the Purdue head coach. So if this guy was with him for that long, he should be very good. Now go out and get some more great basketball players for Illinois." Charles J. Eichelberger, Urbana * "Not just because I am a Southern fan, but Bruce Weber is the best choice Ron Guenther could take. Eighteen years in the Big Ten could show that Weber would stay at Illinois for more than just three years unless Gene Keady retires and Weber plays the Illini team and fans just like Kruger and Self did." Leighton Peavler, Catlin * "The Illini will not skip a beat with Bruce Weber. In fact, his track record shows his teams have always improved in some way from one season to the next. The Illini fans can look forward to competing for the conference title every year and progressing in March Madness. As one who bleeds Saluki maroon, I hope the Illini win it all with Weber. He is a classy guy." Larry Viverito, Libertyville * "Guenther definitely made the right decision. I am a student at Southern Illinois, and I have seen what Bruce Weber can do firsthand. He is a remarkable motivator and teacher, and he is down to earth. He is definitely going to be a pleasant surprise for the Orange and Blue this season." Mike Walker, Mattoon * "Bruce Weber is an outstanding choice for the Illini. Let''s not forget: He outcoached Mr. Self and almost beat the Illini in Las Vegas two years ago with an SIU roster that was arguably undermanned compared to Illinois. There are no questions in my mind that he is up to the task of taking the Illini to the Final Four. The Champaign community will love him, just like we loved him in Carbondale!" Randy Olson, Mount Vernon * "As an SIU grad, I have paid attention to Weber''s coaching abilities these past five years, and I''ve been very impressed. He guided a talented squad to the Sweet 16 and backed it up with another impressive run this past season thanks to a proven motion offense and an aggressive defense. Given a chance, I think Weber will impress Illini fans with his personality and intensity. Weber also has recruiting ties to Indy and St. Louis, which will help land Kalen Grimes. Get Shaun Livingston on board, and the Illini climb continues." Lon Tay, Villa Grove * "He would have been my choice, too. He ran a good program at SIU and has a temperament similar to that of Bill Self. He will continue to improve the Illinois basketball program." Gary Bucey, Champaign * "Having watched Bruce coach at Southern for the past five years, the Illini have selected a great man and a great coach. He and his family are just wonderful people, and I have no doubt that he will take the Illini to new heights. Best of luck to Bruce and the Illini. May your fans treat him and his family as well as we did in southern Illinois!" Wes Wilkins, Cobden * "A bull''s-eye for Ron Guenther on hiring Bruce Weber. He has Midwest roots and has Big Ten ties and he''s a winner. No glitz, just good old-fashioned roll-your-sleeves-up hard work. And most importantly, he wants to be here. Tom Crean didn''t want to be here, and Altman didn''t want to be here. Illinois basketball, I believe, has a very bright future under Bruce Weber. Thanks for wanting to be here, Coach!" Rick Bates, Tolono