Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Oklahoma basketball coach Lon Kruger retires, could assist son at UNLV

Lon Kruger

Associated Press

Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger cheers on his team in the second half of an NCAA Tournament basketball game against Dayton in the Round of 32 on Sunday, March 22, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio.

Oklahoma basketball coach Lon Kruger announced his retirement on Thursday, sparking speculation that he could be returning to UNLV in some capacity to assist his son, Kevin Kruger, as he transitions to the head job with the scarlet and gray.

Lon Kruger coached UNLV from 2004 to 2011 and ran up a 161-71 record, including two Mountain West championships. His teams made four NCAA Tournament appearances in seven years and advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2007.

Kevin Kruger was the point guard on that 2007 squad, and another Kruger team-up could be just what UNLV needs to get back on track.

“I would imagine you’re going to see him around a little bit,” Kevin Kruger said.

After consecutive exits in the first round of the tournament in 2010 and 2011, Lon Kruger was lured away to Oklahoma, where he went 195-128 and earned eight NCAA Tournament berths in 10 years (including the 2020 tourney, which was canceled due to COVID-19). The Sooners went to the Sweet 16 in 2015 and the Final Four in 2016.

While Lon Kruger enjoyed that run of success at Oklahoma, the UNLV program fell into disrepair. The scarlet and gray have gone 184-140 in that time with no Mountain West titles and only two trips to the NCAA Tournament—none since 2013.

Kruger, 68, enjoyed his time in Las Vegas and intends to retire to the area, opening the door for him to be around the program while his son Kevin, 38, attempts to rebuild UNLV into a winning team.

“He can be on staff if he wants,” Kevin Kruger said with a laugh. “That would be great. I’m sure knowing him, he will be willing and able and hoping to help UNLV. Not just basketball, but UNLV in any possible way he can—in the community or coming to practice and helping or talking to coaches or whatever he can do. Because he does enjoy helping people.”

Kruger’s retirement may also present an opportunity for UNLV to add some talent to the roster via the transfer portal. Las Vegas native and former 4-star prospect Jalen Hill was recruited to Oklahoma largely by Kevin Kruger, who was an assistant with the Sooners at the time, and with both Krugers now in Las Vegas it could make sense for Hill to transfer back. He listed UNLV as a finalist when he committed to Oklahoma in 2019.

Hill, a 6-foot-7 forward, averaged 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game last season. He has three years of eligibility remaining and would likely be able to suit up immediately in 2021-22 if he were to transfer.

UNLV has already seen four players from last year’s roster enter the transfer portal, so Kevin Kruger will be looking to add throughout the offseason.

Whether or not Lon Kruger joins UNLV in any official role, having him nearby to act as a confidant, advisor and general sounding board should be a good thing for Kevin.

“As well as being a mentor, he’s been my best friend for a long time,” Kevin Kruger said. “When he finally told us that he was going to [retire], we were just really happy for him. It’s all I’ve known, to see him as a coach, but now to see him as a retired basketball coach here in Vegas is something to be really excited about.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.

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