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.