The Illinois Fighting Illini, fresh off their recent spurning from Va. Commonwealth Rams coach Shaka Smart, have apparently expanded their head coach search to include Butler Bulldogs head coach Brad Stevens:

@JeffRabjohns of Peegs.com has reported Illinois has reached out to Butler coach Brad Stevens.

— Shannon Ryan (@sryantribune) March 23, 2012

Stevens has coached the Bulldogs for the past five seasons, missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the 2011-12 season. During his tenure as head coach, Stevens has amassed a 179-139 record (.777. win-loss percentage) and earned AP rankings ranging from No. 16 to No. 8 with Butler.

In the 2009-2010 season, Stevens led his team to the third most wins in school history, leading the team to a 33-5 record en route to a National Final loss.

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