Bruce Weber will have more time to figure things out at Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber received a two-year contract extension, the school announced on Tuesday. The 60-year-old is now under contract through the 2020-21 season.
Weber has led the Wildcats to a 100-68 (.595) record since being hired by the school in 2012. The program has made three NCAA Tournament appearances during that time with its lone win coming in a play-in game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons last season.
“I’m appreciative of the support that President (Richard) Myers and Gene (Taylor) have given me and our coaching staff with this extension,” said Weber in the press release issued by the school. “Longevity is at the core of building a successful program and this commitment from the administration ensures that we have everything necessary to build on what we have already accomplished these last five seasons.”
The extension for Weber, though, seems largely to come as a symbolic gesture after the Kansas State fan base spent much of the season clamoring for his firing. From late January until the end of February, the team won just two games, inspiring fans to show up with “Fire Weber” signs at just about every home game. When former athletic director John Currie, the man who hired Weber, left for Tennessee, it looked like the supporters might get their wish.
Taylor, the school’s new athletic director, opted not to make a change during the offseason, paving the way for Weber’s extension. Under the terms of the deal, Weber’s buyout remains unchanged until May 1, 2019, which will give him time to potentially right the ship.
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The key for the head coach will be a two-pronged attack. He needs to start by bringing a higher level of talent to Manhattan in order to match the overall talent level of the Big 12, one of the toughest conferences in the nation.
Weber will also need to improve the team on the offensive end. While the Wildcats have ranked in the top 70 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency in each of his first five seasons, according to KenPom, they’ve struggled to score the ball at an efficient rate. Losing leading scorer Wesley Iwundu will only complicate that goal this season.
Still, Weber now has a bit more time to change things with a new contract in tow.