Apr 17, 2014 03:16 PM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

For the last two years, Kansas State coach has had five years left on his contract. After winning the most games in program history during his first two seasons, his deal was extended by a year after each one, the Kansas City Star reported. The latest extension puts him on K-State's books until at least 2019.

In 2012, Weber, the former Illinois coach, took over for the volatile and controversial Frank Martin, who had a rather successful five-year career at the school. He qualified for the Tournament in four of those five seasons, one of which ended in the Elite Eight and a 29-8 record. Martin left the school for undisclosed reasons (relating to differences between him and the athletic department) in 2012. He's now the head coach at South Carolina, where he hasn't yet had the same type of sucess (but similar controversy)

Bruce Weber has basically picked up where Martin left the Wildcats off -- as a one of the better (but usually not the best) teams in the Big 12. He led the Wildcats to a 27-8 (14-4) record their first year, good enough for a share of the regular season conference crown. This past season, they went 20-13 (10-8). Both years ended with a first round tournament loss.

The K-State job was actually something of a demotion for Weber, who'd previously coached at the more basketball-associated Illinois from 2003 to 2012. His first two seasons were a honeymoon (the second ending in a loss to North Carolina in the national championship) -- mainly because he coached players (Luther Head, Deron Williams, Dee Brown) recruited by former head man Bill Self (now at the University of Kansas). From 2007 to 2012, he lost at least 10 games every year. K-State was a much needed fresh start (and Illinois hasn't been good since his departure anyway).

"Our men's basketball program continues to make terrific progress under Coach Weber and his staff since their arrival," Currie said in a statement released by K-State. "He and Megan (Weber's wife) along with the entire staff, have really embraced being a part of the K-State family and Manhattan community. I am excited about the future of our program and forward trajectory under his leadership."

"I'm appreciative of the type of support that President (Kirk) Schulz and John have given me and my coaching staff with this extension," Weber said in a statement. "A significant part of building a successful program is continuity and this type of commitment ensures that we have all the parts necessary to continue to build upon what we have accomplished the last two seasons.

"The success we have had is a direct reflection of the hard work and sacrifice of our players and coaches. I could not be more proud to be associated with them and look forward to even more success in the future."

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