UNLV Parts Ways with Head Coach Kevin Kruger After Four Seasons
In a move that has sent ripples through the college basketball community, UNLV has decided to part ways with men’s basketball coach Kevin Kruger after four seasons at the helm. The announcement came on Saturday, just days after the Runnin’ Rebels’ season concluded with a quarterfinal loss to Utah State in the Mountain West Conference tournament. The team wrapped up the season with an 18-15 overall record and an 11-9 mark in conference play.
UNLV athletic director Erick Harper expressed gratitude for Kruger’s “commitment, and dedication” to the program in a statement, but also highlighted the program’s inability to meet its lofty expectations. “We have significant aspirations for our men’s basketball program, both within the Mountain West and on a national level, with the goal of competing in the NCAA Tournament. Our expectation is to contend for and win championships. After evaluating the program as a whole, I believe a change is necessary to achieve these goals,” Harper stated.
The search for a new head coach is already underway, as UNLV aims to find a leader who can steer the program towards its championship ambitions. Kruger’s tenure in Vegas saw him compile a 76-55 overall record, but the Rebels never managed to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament and only finished in the top four of the Mountain West standings once. His inaugural season ended with an 18-14 record, but the 2022-23 season marked a low point with a 7-11 finish in conference play.
Kruger’s most promising campaign came last season when the Rebels won 10 of 11 games from late January to early March, putting themselves in the NCAA tournament bubble conversation. However, a loss at Nevada to close the regular season, followed by a defeat to San Diego State in their first conference tournament game, dashed any hopes of an at-large bid. The team did manage to win two games in the NIT before falling to Seton Hall.
Kruger was promoted to head coach in 2021, succeeding T.J. Otzelberger, who departed after two seasons to take the head coaching position at Iowa State. Before his promotion, Kruger served as an assistant coach under Otzelberger and spent three seasons as an assistant under his father, Lon Kruger, at Oklahoma.
- UNLV’s overall record under Kruger: 76-55
- Best season: 18-14 in his first year
- Lowest point: 7-11 in conference play during the 2022-23 season
- Notable achievement: Two NIT wins last season
As the Runnin’ Rebels look to the future, the focus will be on finding a coach who can elevate the program to new heights and fulfill the aspirations of competing on a national stage. The decision to move on from Kruger underscores the high expectations and competitive nature of college basketball, where success is often measured by tournament appearances and championship victories.
For UNLV fans, the hope is that the next chapter will bring renewed energy and success to a program with a storied history. The search for a new head coach will be closely watched, as the Rebels aim to return to prominence in the Mountain West and beyond.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
