Lon Kruger
Recently Retired College & Professional Basketball Coach/ HOF in Coaching & Leadership
What is his favorite sport as Coach Kruger lettered in football, basketball, and baseball in all four years at Silver Lake HS in Kansas. What he learned under Coach Jack Hartman at Kansas State and what he took from him that he used as a coach. How he decided what sport to play between basketball and baseball as was drafted professionally for each.
He started his coaching career at Pittsburg St as a grad assistant, learn how this began and the transition to being the assistant coach back at Kansas State which led him to being a head coach at Texas Pan American and how he turned that program around. The feeling of becoming the head coach at Kansas State and coaching Steve Henson & Mitch Richmond. He talks about taking the University of Florida to the 1994 Final Four and looking back at it now.
Coaching the Fighting Illini, that featured the Peoria trio of Sergio McClain, Marcus Griffin, and Frank Williams along with Brian Cook. The excitement of that team and how he was contacted by the Atlanta Hawks to coach in the NBA. He tells us about the adjustment to NBA, the length of the seasons and a possible refund to season ticket holders for playoff game.
The opportunity to coach his son Kevin at UNLV, taking the 2006-2007 team to Sweet 16, and thoughts of Kevin becoming the head coach for The Runnin’ Rebels. Coaching Buddy Heild and Trae Young at University of Oklahoma. When he started to contemplate retiring and the reasons behind the final decision.
His definition of integrity which leads into a discussion about Coach’s involvement in Coaches v Cancer that includes Suits & Sneakers, and LV Golf Classic. Being a recipient of the John Wooden Award and where the passion to be involved in so many community and volunteer work with his wife Barb comes from, life plan for retirement and we talk about Coach’s Coaching Tree which is extensive!
Coach Lon Kruger Coaching Record: https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/lon-kruger-1.html
Coaches v Cancer: https://www.cancer.org/our-partners/coaches-vs-cancer.html
Follow Coach Kruger on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LonKruger
Kevin Kruger UNLV: https://unlvrebels.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/kevin-kruger/2169
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Being part of the 1998 FIBA National Team in Greece
FIBA Rules and College Basketball
His book- “The X’s & O’s of Success: A Playbook for Leaders in Business & Life. Purchase it here: https://www.amazon.com/Xs-Os-Success-Playbook-Business/dp/193504303X
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