UNLV fires Kruger

UNLV fired men’s basketball coach Kevin Kruger, the school announced Saturday.

Kruger went 76-55 in his four seasons with the Runnin’ Rebels but failed to make the NCAA Tournament in any of his seasons as head coach of the UNLV program.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Coach Kruger for his hard work, commitment, and dedication over the past four years as head coach of the Runnin’ Rebels,” UNLV Director of Athletics Erick Harpe said in a statement released by the school. “While there have been notable achievements during his tenure, there have also been challenges. 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.”

The next head coach will be the sixth since Kevin’s father, Lon, left the program in 2011.

UNLV has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2013 and have not won a NCAA Tournament game since 2008.

Kevin Kruger led the Runnin’ Rebels to the NIT Quarterfinals in 2024 but could not capitalize on the success in 2024-25.

UNLV said that a national search has begun for a new men’s basketball coach.