Lon Kruger has changed zip codes a few times, adapted to climate and cultural changes and savored a coaching journey that has landed him on a select list.
The former University of Illinois coach is one of only five Division I coaches to take four different programs to the N-C-A-A tournament.
Kruger has taken Kansas State, Florida, Illinois and now U-N-L-V to the N-C-A-As.
A victory yesterday over Georgia Tech was U-N-L-V's first in the tourney since 1991. The Runnin' Rebels meet Wisconsin tomorrow in the second round of the Midwest Region.
Kruger jumped to the N-B-A's Atlanta Hawks after his final season at Illinois in 2000. But he went 69-and-122 in two seasons plus before he was fired.
Kruger got back into the college game, and he now has U-N-L-V at 29-and-6 after two 17-win seasons.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
