UNLV Rebels

Kevin Kruger Fired By UNLV After Four Seasons

The 41 year old coach failed to get his team into the NCAA Tournament and had a 75-55 record during his tenure

Bill Enright

UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger speaks to the media after being defeated by the Utah State Aggies.
UNLV Rebels head coach Kevin Kruger speaks to the media after being defeated by the Utah State Aggies. / Candice Ward-Imagn Images
In this story:

UNLV fired men's basketball coach Kevin Kruger after his fourth season with the team. The Runnin' Rebels finished with a 18-15 record in 2024/25 and were sixth in the Mountain West Conference. Kruger had two years remaining on his contract.

Kruger finished with a 75-55 record during his run as head coach at UNLV. The Runnin' Rebels haven't made the NCAA March Madness tournament since 2013 and will now be searching for their sixth head coach since 2011.

UNLV Director of Athletics, Erick Harper, released the following statement regarding Kruger and the men's basketball team.

“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. 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.”

- Erick Harper

UNLV Men's Basketball Posts about Kevin Kruger's firing and a "Change in Leadership"

The news of Kruger's firing comes on the heels of the UNLV athletics department walking back a statement made earlier in the week about the inability to pay head football coach, Dan Mullens, full contract.

More UNLV Athletics News

UNLV Lady Rebels Secure No. 1 Seed in Mountain West Tournament

UNLV Basketball's Dedan Thomas Jr. Named to All-Mountain West Conference Third Team

Report: UNLV to Remain in Mountain West Through 2032

Published
Bill Enright
BILL ENRIGHT

Home/Basketball