Illinois men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood has made a significant addition to his coaching staff, announcing the hiring of former UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger as Assistant to the Head Coach for the 2025-26 season. The move, revealed on July 9, 2025, brings a familiar name back to Champaign, as Kruger, the son of former Illini head coach Lon Kruger, returns to a program with deep personal ties.
“When the opportunity arose to add a basketball mind and a person the caliber of Kevin Kruger to our staff, it was a no-brainer,” Underwood said in a statement. “Kevin is a proven winner who has worked tirelessly throughout his career to elevate every program that he has been a part of. His experience level – not only as a player and assistant coach, but as a head coach – will be invaluable to our team.”
Kruger, 42, brings a wealth of experience to the Fighting Illini. He spent the last six years at UNLV, serving as an assistant coach from 2019 to 2021 before being promoted to head coach for the 2021-25 seasons. During his tenure as head coach, Kruger led the Runnin’ Rebels to a 76-55 record, including a standout 21-win season in 2023-24 that culminated in a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) quarterfinal appearance—the program’s first postseason win in 16 years. Despite his success, UNLV parted ways with Kruger in March 2025 after a 18-15 season and a quarterfinal loss in the Mountain West Conference tournament.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the Fighting Illini staff and come back to a place that is so special to me and my family,” Kruger said. “The program that Coach Underwood and his staff have built here is first class in every way. To be in a position to contend year-in and year-out at the highest level of our sport is so special, and I am so fortunate in this role to be able to contribute to the success of the program moving forward.”
Kruger’s connection to Illinois runs deep. His father, Lon Kruger, coached the Illini from 1996 to 2000, leading the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances and a Big Ten regular-season championship in 1998. During that time, Kevin lived in Champaign and played two seasons at Centennial High School, earning recognition as a News-Gazette All-Area standout.
Beyond his familial ties, Kruger’s coaching resume is impressive. Before his time at UNLV, he served as an assistant coach at Oklahoma under his father (2016-19) and at Northern Arizona (2014-16), where he helped guide the Lumberjacks to a 23-win season and a runner-up finish in the 2015 CIT. As a player, Kruger was a standout at Arizona State (2003-06) and UNLV (2006-07), where he played his senior season under his father, leading the Rebels to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. His professional playing career spanned multiple countries, including Bulgaria, Italy, China, Mexico, Belgium, and Germany, as well as stints in the NBA D-League.
Underwood, who has led Illinois to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and an Elite Eight run in 2024, views Kruger’s head coaching experience as a key asset. As the only assistant on the staff with Division I head coaching experience, Kruger is expected to provide valuable strategic insights and serve as a sounding board for Underwood both on and off the court. His international connections and recruiting prowess, honed during his playing and coaching career, are also likely to bolster Illinois’ efforts on the recruiting trail.
This marks the second coaching addition for Illinois this offseason, following the hiring of Camryn Crocker as an assistant coach in May. With Kruger and Crocker on board, Underwood continues to strengthen his staff as the Illini aim to build on their recent success, including a Big Ten Tournament title in 2024 and a 22-13 record in the 2024-25 season.
Kruger’s return to Champaign is not just a homecoming but a strategic move to enhance an already competitive program. As Illinois prepares for the 2025-26 season, the addition of Kruger’s experience, leadership, and ties to the Illini legacy signals Underwood’s intent to keep the Fighting Illini among the nation’s elite.
