Oklahoma men’s basketball coach Lon Kruger is retiring after 45 years coaching, it was announced Thursday.
Kruger, 68, has led the Sooners for the past decade and has led them to seven NCAA tournaments and the Four Four final in 2016. They finished 16-11 overall this season, going from 9th to 9th. 8 in the Big 12 and moving on to the second round of the NCAA tournament before losing to Gonzaga.
Prior to taking over in Oklahoma, Kruger led UNLV to four appearances in the NCAA tournament in seven seasons, including a Sweet 16 race in 2007.
Considered one of the most underrated coaches of his generation, Kruger began his coaching career in 1976 as an assistant in the state of Pittsburg. He spent time as an assistant in the state of Kansas before becoming head coach at Texas-Pan American. Kruger was also head coach in the states of Kansas, Florida and Illinois, and also spent three seasons as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and one year with the New York Knicks as an assistant.
Overall, Kruger was 674-432 as the college’s head coach, went to 20 NCAA tournaments and made two appearances in the Final Four. He is one of three coaches who has led five different programs in the NCAA tournament, along with Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith.
“His track record of successfully rebuilding programs everywhere he trained becomes even more impressive considering how he did it,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a statement. “He won with integrity, humility, class and grace. He did so with superior leadership skills and genuine kindness that included his constant encouragement to everyone around him.”
Kruger’s son, Kevin, was recently named UNLV head coach. Sources told ESPN that it had an impact on Kruger’s decision to retire.
With the departure of Kruger, both basketball venues are already open in Oklahoma, and longtime female coach Sherri Coale announced her retirement last week.