March 5, 2004
My sources tell me that unless there's a major change in UNLV's thinking process, the Runnin' Rebels will hire Lon Kruger as their new head coach.

	Lon Kruger was head coach at Kansas State, Florida and Illinois before jumping to the NBA and the Hawks.

Charlie Spoonhour resigned as UNLV coach earlier this season, replaced by his son and assistant coach, Jay Spoonhour.

Kruger did a phenomenal job at Kansas State, Florida and Illinois. He led all three schools to the NCAA Tournament, taking the Gators to the Final Four in 1994.

His experience also includes an NBA head-coaching tour with the Atlanta Hawks as well as assistant-coaching assignments.

You couldn't get a classier guy with greater integrity. Kruger really knows the college game, and it's great to see him returning to the role of teacher. He understands winning on the collegiate level and relates so well to young people.

I consider him a perfect hire, though I felt UNLV had another viable candidate who would have connected to the school's tradition -- Reggie Theus, currently an assistant at Louisville. He would have brought back a lot of fans who have stopped rooting for the program.

But one can understand the decision to go for Kruger given his resumé. It's just a matter of dotting the I's and crossing the T's. This should happen after the season ends, and Kruger should be named coach of the Runnin' Rebels.

I salute the UNLV administration. It's great to know Kruger is back where he belongs, working with and teaching young people. He's a great choice for that position.

Dick Vitale coached the Detroit Pistons and the University of Detroit in the 1970s before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979 (he's been an ESPN analyst ever since). Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.