Lon Kruger- Recently Retired College & Professional Basketball Coach/ HOF in Coaching & Leadership

Send us a text


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!


 


Links:


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


 


Before the Lights Website: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/


Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/beforethelightspodcast/


Aroma Retail link:  Code- Lights10 


https://aromaretail.com/?irclickid=0FDWhGVUjxyLTR3wUx0Mo36aUkB3td0cESYzXc0&irgwc=1


Become a BTL Crew Member: https://www.patreon.com/beforethelights


 


Extra 5


Being part of the 1998 FIBA National Team in Greece


FIBA Rules and Col


Support the show


Follow the show on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Face Book:
https://www.facebook.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Tik Tok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@beforethelightspodcast?lang=en

Follow Tommy on Face Book:
https://www.facebook.com/tcanale3

Rate & Review:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-lights/id1501245041

Email the host: beforethelightspod@gmail.com