SIU head coach Bruce Weber has received job offers from other schools during his tenure in Carbondale, but none have been as lucrative as the one that could come his way in the near future.

Illinois head coach Bill Self left the Illini Sunday to take over at Kansas and, according to many media outlets, Weber is on the short list of candidates to replace him.

Illinois Athletic Director Ron Guenther could not be reached for comment to confirm that he is pursuing Weber, but his list is rumored to also include Marquette’s Tom Crean, Xavier’s Thad Matta, Stanford’s Mike Montgomery and Oregon’s Ernie Kent.

SIU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk said he would not prevent Weber from talking to Illinois, so the ball is in Weber’s court.

“I’m not going to deny Bruce an opportunity to explore what might be best for he and his family,” Kowalczyk said.

Weber said he has not been contacted by Illinois and would not speculate on whether he would take the job if it was offered to him. He expressed doubt that Illinois was even interested.

“I’m not going to say anything. I haven’t been contacted and I’m not going to get into it,” Weber said, laughing off the rumors. “To be honest, I don’t see it happening. But we’ll see what happens.”

Kowalczyk said SIU cannot give Weber what Illinois would offer if it chose him as its coach – Self made $900,000 per year at Illinois – and any contract Weber signs with the Illini would be significantly higher than the $250,000 he makes now.

Weber said Kowalczyk would know if he was interested in any job, and Kowalczyk said the same.

“He and I talk everyday be it about work or the job scene because so much is going on,” Kowalczyk said. “We have a great relationship and a very open relationship, and it will remain that way, I’m sure.”

Reporter Michael Brenner can be reached at [email protected]