Kevin Kruger

Kevin Kruger
Born	(1983-05-01) May 1, 1983 McAllen, Texas, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Basketball coach, former player
Years active	2007–2013 (player), 2014–present (coach)
Known for	Head coach of UNLV Runnin' Rebels (2021–2025)

Kevin Michael Kruger (born May 1, 1983) is a former American basketball player and current coach. Originating from McAllen, Texas, Kruger played high school basketball at George Walton Comprehensive High School in Marietta, Georgia before competing at the collegiate level for both Arizona State and UNLV. His professional playing career spanned from 2007 to 2013, featuring multiple periods with NBA Development League teams such as the Utah Flash and Los Angeles D-Fenders.

Following his retirement as a player, Kruger transitioned into coaching, beginning as an assistant at Northern Arizona from 2014 to 2016. He then served as an assistant coach under his father, head coach Lon Kruger, at Oklahoma between 2016 and 2019. Returning to UNLV, he was an assistant coach from 2019 until 2021, after which he was elevated to head coach of the Runnin' Rebels, a role he held until 2025. That same year, Kruger joined the staff of the Illinois program as Assistant to the Head Coach.

Early life and college basketball career

Born in McAllen, Texas in 1983, Kevin Michael Kruger is the son of Lon Kruger, who was then serving as head men's basketball coach at the University of Texas Pan American. Throughout his youth, Kevin relocated across Kansas, Florida, Illinois, and Georgia due to his father’s coaching positions at Kansas State University, University of Florida, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and with the Atlanta Hawks.

He initially attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois before transferring to George Walton Comprehensive High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he graduated in 2002.

Kruger enrolled at Arizona State University from 2002 through 2006. After redshirting his freshman year, he competed as a guard for the Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball, starting 43 games over three seasons. He achieved a free throw shooting percentage of .812, ranking fourth all-time at Arizona State. During the 2005–06 season, he averaged 15.0 points per game and led his team by logging nearly 39 minutes per contest.

Upon completing a bachelor’s degree in justice studies at Arizona State in 2006, Kruger transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for his final collegiate season to play under his father’s direction at UNLV. In the 2006–07 campaign, he posted averages of 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while helping UNLV reach the Sweet Sixteen.

Pro basketball career

Although undrafted following his college tenure, Kruger received an invitation to participate in the Orlando Magic training camp but was released prior to the regular season. Subsequently, he was selected by the Utah Flash, affiliated with the Utah Jazz D-League team. On March 1, 2009, Kruger recorded a personal best by scoring 35 points against the Reno Bighorns.

During the 2011–2012 season, Kruger competed overseas with Okapi Aalstar in Belgium’s Ethias League. His team secured the Belgian Cup title after an overtime victory against the Antwerp Giants, with Kruger contributing a notable 31 points.

Coaching career

Kruger's coaching journey commenced with a two-year assistant position at Northern Arizona. He later joined his father’s coaching staff at Oklahoma. In 2019, Kruger returned to UNLV as an assistant under head coach T. J. Otzelberger. When Otzelberger departed for Iowa State, Kruger was promoted to lead the Runnin' Rebels as head coach on March 21, 2021. His tenure ended on March 15, 2025.

On July 9, 2025, Kruger accepted a role as Assistant to the Head Coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

External links

• Official Illinois Fighting Illini biography