UNLV parted ways with head coach Kevin Kruger after four seasons Saturday afternoon.
The announcement came two days after the Runnin’ Rebels lost their quarterfinal game to Utah State, 70-58.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to coach Kruger for his hard work, commitment, and dedication over the past four years as a head coach of the Runnin’ Rebels,” Athletic Director Erick Harper said in a statement released by UNLV Athletics.
“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 chance is necessary to achieve these goals.”
The school now owes Kruger $2.5 million as part of his contract buyout. Kruger, in his four years with the Runnin’ Rebels, had a record of 76-55 and never returned the team to the NCAA Tournament.
The last time UNLV was in the tournament was in 2013.
Kruger, who played for UNLV in 2006-07 under his father Lon, led the team to an NIT appearance last year, the first postseason since the 2013 NCAA tournament. The team won two games before losing to Seton Hall in the quarterfinals.
With Kruger out now, the program turns to how the roster will shape up going into the off-season and the transfer portal opening.
UNLV forward and Las Vegas native Isaiah Cottrell already declared that he will be entering the transfer portal on Friday. This was before the announcement on Kruger, so it now poses the question, not if anyone else leaves, but who and when?
Dedan “DJ” Thomas Jr., the Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year last year and the five-star recruit coming out of high school is a name that worries UNLV.
The sophomore guard averaged 15 points and 4.7 assists per game before his injury sidelined him in the final seven games for the Runnin’ Rebels.
Thomas has ties to UNLV, with his father playing for UNLV and being a native of Las Vegas. Is it enough to retain the guard? Thomas has shown exceptional play throughout his two years and has been praised by all who have played him.
With the attention and the new world of NIL in college athletics, one can wonder if UNLV has enough to keep Thomas with other offers coming his way from other programs. It wasn’t far-fetched to believe that if Kruger returned for his fifth season, maybe Thomas would stay. With Kruger out, it will be a roller coaster off-season for the Runnin’ Rebels.
Another name that comes to mind is Rob Whaley Jr., the UNLV big sidelined with a back injury after just two games with the team this season.
The same line of questioning: will the forward test the waters of the transfer portal after a solid season at UNLV? Coaches around the Mountain West have mentioned how difficult it is to guard against a guy his size. Tie that with his relationship with Thomas and how they complement each other’s game, it’s something to think about.
Brooklyn Hicks is interesting. The sophomore guard wrapped up his second season at UNLV and earned more minutes with how injuries played out. Hicks and the energy he brings on the defensive side is unmatched. The guard plays hard and there’s no doubt about that.
His offense is another thing. The Washington native has the athleticism in finishing, making tough shots at the rim, and fights for rebounds, but Hicks is not the strongest shooter. He shot 18% from deep and was a 53% free-throw shooter on the year.
Hicks may have been on his way out already because of his role on this UNLV team but with Kruger out, does this change anything? Time will tell.
A lot of uncertainty for the Runnin’ Rebels. UNLV is set to play in the Players Era Festival, where NIL money will be involved.
The school has begun a national search for their next head coach, and Harper will not make any more statements until the announcement of the new head coach is revealed.
