UNLV fires coach Kevin Kruger, one of the program's links to its glory-day past
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Coach Kevin Kruger, who led UNLV to the Sweet 16 as the team's point guard in 2007 while playing for his father, Hall of Famer Lon Kruger, was fired by the Rebels on Saturday.
Kruger went 76-55 in four seasons and failed to lead the Rebels to the NCAA Tournament. The program, once one of college basketball's national powers, hasn't been a part of March Madness since 2013.
This season's team was ravaged by injuries, forced to play a six-man rotation in the Mountain West Tournament. Utah State eliminated UNLV 70-58 in Thursday's quarterfinals, leaving the Rebels with an 18-15 record.
“While there have been notable achievements during his tenure, there have also been challenges," UNLV athletic director Erick Harper said in a statement. "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 has extensive financial challenges as he searches for a new coach. A UNLV report to the Nevada Board of Regents last week showed the athletic department ran a $27 million deficit in the 2024 fiscal year.
But UNLV might have to offer a lucrative contract if it wants to attract a coach capable of regaining relevance, something the school has shown a willingness to do. UNLV hired football coach Dan Mullen in December, giving him a five-year, $17.5 million contract.
Basketball has long been UNLV's calling card, but the Rebels have struggled in recent seasons to become even Mountain West contenders.
Much of the Rebels' most recent success came under Lon Kruger, who was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. He went 161-71 while coaching UNLV from 2004-11, taking the Rebels to the NCAA Tournament four times in his final five years.
That included a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007 with Kevin Kruger, an Arizona State transfer, running the offense on the floor. He was college basketball's first graduate transfer to take advantage of a new rule allowing him to play right away. Him taking UNLV deep into the NCAA Tournament right away made national headlines.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
-
UNLV fires coach Kevin Kruger, one of the program’s links to its glory-day past
Kruger went 76-55 in four seasons and failed to lead the Rebels to the NCAA Tournament. The program, once one of college basketball’s national powers, hasn’t been a part of March Madness since 2013.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
UNLV fires head coach Kruger after four seasons
UNLV has fired men's basketball coach Kevin Kruger after four seasons, the team announced Saturday.ESPN - 1d -
UNLV fires head coach Kevin Kruger after 4 seasons
The Runnin' Rebels have not made the NCAA tournament since 2013Yahoo Sports - 1d -
UNLV fires Kevin Kruger, son of Lon Kruger, after four years even amid athletic department's financial peril
The Runnin' Rebels still haven't come close to recapturing the magic of their golden era in the 1990sCBS Sports - 1d -
UNLV Rebels and Air Force Falcons play in MWC Tournament
The UNLV Rebels play in the MWC Tournament against the Air Force FalconsABC News - 5d -
NC State fires coach Kevin Keatts a year after improbable ACC title and Final Four run
N.C. State fired men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts on Sunday, an abrupt end to an eight-year tenure coming less than a year after the Wolfpack’s improbable run to the Atlantic Coast Conference ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9 -
NC State basketball coaching search 2025: Candidates, hot board, names to watch by Wolfpack insiders
The Pack Pride team just revealed their top North Carolina State coaching candidates after Kevin Keatts was fired on SundayCBS Sports - 6d -
Steve Kerr tops late Hall of Famer Al Attles for most coaching wins in Warriors history
Steve Kerr passed late Hall of Famer Al Attles for most coaching wins in Warriors franchise history with his 558th victory Saturday night as Golden State beat the New York Knicks 97-94. The ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
NC State fires men's basketball coach Kevin Keatts after 8 seasons
Keatts coached the Wolfpack to three NCAA tournament bids during his six seasons in Raleigh and advanced to the Final Four in 2024.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Rodriguez takes a common sense approach to analytics
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez believes that analytics have a place in college football. Rodriguez has learned some really beneficial things from looking at the analytics but he doesn’t ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Two ESPN experts pick Rams' addition of Davante Adams as the best move of NFL free agency
The Rams made a splash by signing Davante Adams and two ESPN experts say it's the best move any team has made in free agencyYahoo Sports - 14m -
Manchester City need reliable players and not ‘more’ players insists Pep Guardiola in transfer message
Pep Guardiola has sent a clear message of intent to Manchester City’s chief decision makers over the club’s strategy moving forward into the next campaign.City are set to undergo a major squad ove...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Tosh Lupoi opens up about what went wrong for Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State
Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi opens up about what went wrong against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Lady Vols versus South Florida basketball TV channel, streaming in NCAA Tournament
A look at TV channel and streaming information for the Lady Vols versus South Florida basketball in the NCAA Tournament first round.Yahoo Sports - 19m
More in Sports
-
Rodriguez takes a common sense approach to analytics
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez believes that analytics have a place in college football. Rodriguez has learned some really beneficial things from looking at the analytics but he doesn’t ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Two ESPN experts pick Rams' addition of Davante Adams as the best move of NFL free agency
The Rams made a splash by signing Davante Adams and two ESPN experts say it's the best move any team has made in free agencyYahoo Sports - 14m -
Manchester City need reliable players and not ‘more’ players insists Pep Guardiola in transfer message
Pep Guardiola has sent a clear message of intent to Manchester City’s chief decision makers over the club’s strategy moving forward into the next campaign.City are set to undergo a major squad ove...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Ronald Acuna Jr. says he'll be more careful this season -- but no one believes him
From 40/70 to 40/30? The Braves' 2023 NL MVP is rehabbing with a plan to be stronger -- and healthier.ESPN - 18m -
Tosh Lupoi opens up about what went wrong for Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State
Oregon Ducks defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi opens up about what went wrong against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.Yahoo Sports - 18m