Coach Weber fondly recalls destitute days at Western Kentucky

The payoff came with the experiences and sticking with Keady, not the money. At a time when graduate assistants were used in nearly every sport, the rules didn't restrict their contributions. Scouting, recruiting and coaching on the floor were allowed. It's also where Weber met Gary Nottingham, another graduate assistant whom Weber hired at Illinois.

The pay wasn't good. Weber and Nottingham each earned $2,000 for the year.

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