Had to summarize some things but I kept up as much as possible...
- Fighting through some snow here in KS....big game this weekend at Texas
- Rome mentioned the year KState is having....when you took the job 10 months ago is this where you thought you would be?
- Weber "Thought it could happen but wasn't sure....had to make sure everyone stayed that was already here and then get them to buy in. Big win versus Florida in KC and it was the first time the guys felt really good and buying in to the things the coaches had been preaching"
- Asked about the mood when he got there... "Some guys mad Frank left...some wanted to leave...alot of frustration from the players. Frank did a great job here...Huggins got everything started up 7-8 years ago. oscar watched Keady do it at Purdue....he did it at Southern Ill, Illinois, and now Kstate and that is why he thinks John Currie was so interested. Got Rodney on the phone...talked to the seniors and rest of the team and things worked out well. Spending time in Rio was great for this team and us getting to know the players."
- oscar said there wasn't alot of jobs out there after leaving Illinois and K-State popped up and it all kind of worked out. There is a bit of "I wanna show these people I can do this" (taking K-State job and being successful)
- Asked about Illinois firing... "New AD...new President...several other coaches were already let go...football...womans basketball...etc...it leaves a little bit of a hole in your heart because you put alot of energy and passion into the program. Got to get reenergized and get back at it.
- Really glad to be at KState...great fans...great support and great players
- Rome asked if you change everything when you come in...Weber says you have to be careful...can't change EVERYTHING but you got to be careful picking and choosing what battles you pick to take on. Frank did a great job coaching defense....we wanted to take that and tweak a few things....more help side defense etc....don't want to change everything and lose guys
- Rome asked about some people not liking recruiting but hes unique because he is very hands on about recruiting....Weber said he loves being hands on....was in California last week...taking the redeye to make practice...needs to go alot of places...every week when we have a day off I got to go somewhere and recruit....coaches do a great job
- On the Big 12 conference....Rome says KState has not won since 1977...have you talked about it to your players? Weber says....we talk about winning championships...don't take a second seat to anyone...we are making progress and we have players believing...had Coach Snyder in last week and we took alot from him....got to go 1-0 because you can't win them all at once....
- Give them the goal for the banner but have to keep it simple and focused at the task on hand. Big game Saturday and need to focus on big task on hand
- Rome...is Snyder the type of guy that you walk down the hall and talk to? Weber...yes...I have tried several times and spoke with him several times. He wins with walk-ons...transfers...lightly recruited players...the guy is a genius and magical at what he has done.....he will have a game late Saturday night and he will see him at church first thing the next morning
- Weber said when he took the job Roy Williams called him and congratulated him and said its a challenge....he hated going to KC to the airport from Lawrence let alone Manhattan. Weber said he was shocked when he told him Manhattan has flights coming from Dallas and Chicago everyday which has been huge.
- Rome finished off with saying it is really impressive what Weber has done....to come in after being fired...possibly questioning yourself and coming in energized and putting KState in a position to possibly win the Big 12...first conf championship since 1977