Two people with connections to the University of Illinois could be enticed in coming to Eastern.

Illinois assistant Jay Price and University of Illinois-Chicago associate head coach Mark Coomes are interested in becoming the Panthers’ next men’s basketball head coach. They now join Marquette assistant Jeff Strohm and Creighton associate head coach Greg Grensling as candidates to replace Rick Samuels.

“I have applied and am interested in the position,” Coomes said.

The former Illini assistant under Lou Henson refused to comment any further on his interest in the position.

Coomes spent nine seasons under Henson at Illinois, which included being a top assistant during the 1989 Flying Illini’s run to Final Four.

The 48-year-old graduate of Western Illinois has spent time as an assistant at New Mexico State, Illinois and his current position with UIC. Coomes’ head coaching experience includes two stints at Wabash Valley College and one year as the head basketball coach and athletic director at Southern Indiana where he led the Screaming Eagles to the Division II tournament.

“I think (Mark Coomes) would do great job if given the chance,” South Dakota State head coach Scott Nagy said. Scott is the oldest son of Dick Nagy, who was an assistant with Coomes at Illinois and UIC.

Price is interested in the job with the Panthers but will not comment on future plans until the Illinois season is completed. The top-seeded Illini (34-1) play Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament Thursday at 6:25 p.m. at All-State Arena in Chicago.

Price is in his second season at Illinois under 2005 Big Ten Coach of the Year Bruce Weber.

Price came to Illinois after spending 10 years as an assistant coach, including recruiting and scheduling coordinator, at Purdue under recently retired coach Gene Keady.

During his time at Purdue, the Boilermakers compiled a record of 220-105, winning three Big Ten championships and earning eight NCAA Tournament berths.

Price began his coaching career with a two-year stint as an assistant at Oklahoma under former coach Billy Tubbs before going to Purdue. During that time, he also served as manager for the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball Dream Team during the 1992 Summer Olympics.

One person with ties to the Fighting Illini program who will not be applying is Dave Weber.

The Glenbrook North High School head coach (and younger brother of Bruce Weber), whose team just won the Class AA Illinois State Championship this past weekend, confirmed he will not be returning to Eastern after being an assistant under the recently dismissed Samuels from 1988-1994.

“I really like the job I have here and just don’t think I’m currently qualified for the position,” Weber said. “Maybe eight years ago I’d feel better about it but I just don’t know how good they’d feel about hiring a high school coach.”