Kevin Kruger to UNLV

[CoachTalk]

Coach, whether one likes the guy as an assistant is fine, but it was a nepotism hire plain and simple. I know that if I'm hired because of a blood relative, I sure as heck would want to find some way to distinguish myself (ex: Patty Gasso's son; not Sherri Coale's). As fans, we saw nothing in three years which would indicate that. I understand you're closer to the program than most, but don't remember you passing along any info indicating that Kevin has stood out. This is one move that will likely turn out great for both parties, so I can't see why anyone would be too upset.

Im not upset that he is leaving. I think Lon will find a great coach to replace him. Im saying he is/was more than qualified for the position.

We may hire a guy that brings in 8 4 stars, doesnt diminish what Kevin did the last 2 years.

 

[CoachTalk]

Also, it helps Kevin get out from Lon's shadow and away from concerns about nepotism. It's probably best for both.

Sure. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Happy for him and hopefully giddy over the next new guy.

 

[WTSooner]

Also, it helps Kevin get out from Lon's shadow and away from concerns about nepotism. It's probably best for both.

The only concerns over nepotism are b/c we have the worst record in the Big 12 during Kevin's tenure at OU.

If were were winning more, nobody would give a crap. Never heard nepotism mentioned when Mike Stoops was trotting out excellent defenses in the early 2000's.

 

[vbdad]

I just watched him during games. Didn't see him with any kind of presence. If his was like that during practice, then he was in way over his head.

He was the third assistant. How many third assistants do you see doing much during games?

UNLV wanted him because he knows basketball is very well liked and respected in Vegas. He knows the area and the recruiting territory. Notice we signed Hill from Vegas this year. It doesn’t hurt that Lon is revered in Vegas.

 

[WTSooner]

He was the third assistant. How many third assistants do you see doing much during games?

UNLV wanted him because he knows basketball is very well liked and respected in Vegas. He knows the area and the recruiting territory. Notice we signed Hill from Vegas this year. It doesn’t hurt that Lon is revered in Vegas.

You didn't put it exactly this way, but that is kind of the point. He was hired by UNLV b/c he knows the program, the area, and his name has a good rep in the area b/c of Lon.

Not necessarily b/c he is anything special as a coach.

 

[WTSooner]

And let's keep in mind, our #1 assistant has been interviewing for jobs and wants to be a HC. There was room for Kevin to move up here.

 

[TINY]

Good for both parties imo. Also suggests to me that Lon won’t be extending his tenure beyond his contract.

 

[Ghost of Gar Heard]

He was the third assistant. How many third assistants do you see doing much during games?

UNLV wanted him because he knows basketball is very well liked and respected in Vegas. He knows the area and the recruiting territory. Notice we signed Hill from Vegas this year. It doesn’t hurt that Lon is revered in Vegas.

That's a really good point about the Kruger-Vegas connection.

 

[schoonerdriver]

He was the third assistant. How many third assistants do you see doing much during games?

UNLV wanted him because he knows basketball is very well liked and respected in Vegas. He knows the area and the recruiting territory. Notice we signed Hill from Vegas this year. It doesn’t hurt that Lon is revered in Vegas.

The Henson, Hill, Crutchfield staff were all active.

I don't know how their responsibilities were broken down but I assume Kevin was responsible for a position and/or a certain aspect of the game. I would expect to see him engaged in those responsibilities. In fact, the most engaged person on the bench isn't even a coach. His the director of basketball ops.

 

[cvangild]

LK needs to hire Rod Thompson as his 3rd assistant now...and sign up his son in next year's class!!!!

 

[WichitaSooner]

The Henson, Hill, Crutchfield staff were all active.

I don't know how their responsibilities were broken down but I assume Kevin was responsible for a position and/or a certain aspect of the game. I would expect to see him engaged in those responsibilities. In fact, the most engaged person on the bench isn't even a coach. His the director of basketball ops.

So the only way to be engaged is to be animated and conspicuous? It's not possible to be effective in other ways? I guess someone needs to tell Tom Osborne, Lon Kruger, Bill Snyder, and Tony Bennett that they should never get into the coaching business, because they clearly aren't demonstrative enough.

 

[CoachTalk]

LK needs to hire Rod Thompson as his 3rd assistant now...and sign up his son in next year's class!!!!

Rod would have to take a pay cut to be assistant coach at D1 level.

Could be TU head coach next year.

 

[vbdad]

Remember in hiring assistants they have to want to come here, we have to want them and Lon won't hire anybody with dubious recruiting tactics. Let me tell you the last part isn't easy to find as it should be.
I watched Houston in the tournament. I never noticed Quannas or Hollis getting up and being active.
Kevin worked a bunch with Bienemy this year.

 

[schoonerdriver]

So the only way to be engaged is to be animated and conspicuous? It's not possible to be effective in other ways? I guess someone needs to tell Tom Osborne, Lon Kruger, Bill Snyder, and Tony Bennett that they should never get into the coaching business, because they clearly aren't demonstrative enough.

Huh? Where did I say anything about being animated? I didn't see Kevin interacting much with players or the other coaches. I don't go to practices so I can't comment on that side but during games, as I attended every single game, I didn't see much.

 

[CoachTalk]

Remember in hiring assistants they have to want to come here, we have to want them and Lon won't hire anybody with dubious recruiting tactics. Let me tell you the last part isn't easy to find as it should be.
I watched Houston in the tournament. I never noticed Quannas or Hollis getting up and being active.
Kevin worked a bunch with Bienemy this year.

he did what?

He developed our true freshmen point guard?

 

[CoachTalk]

Huh? Where did I say anything about being animated? I didn't see Kevin interacting much with players or the other coaches. I don't go to practices so I can't comment on that side but during games, as I attended every single game, I didn't see much.

The 3rd asst usually doesn’t.

Most head coaches want 1 guy getting info to him during games. Not all 3-4.

 

[WTSooner]

Remember in hiring assistants they have to want to come here, we have to want them and Lon won't hire anybody with dubious recruiting tactics. Let me tell you the last part isn't easy to find as it should be.
I watched Houston in the tournament. I never noticed Quannas or Hollis getting up and being active.
Kevin worked a bunch with Bienemy this year.

Pretty sure Hollis isn't one of the 3 assistant coaches.

As for Bienemy, sorry guys, but I sure as heck don't see what you all saw. Question, during Big 12 play, how many other teams had a starting guard average less than Bienemy did? Genuinely curious.

A quick glance to me suggests A LOT. He wasn't in the top 50 scorers in Big 12 play. That isn't overly impressive, freshman or not.

 

[WichitaSooner]

Pretty sure Hollis isn't one of the 3 assistant coaches.

As for Bienemy, sorry guys, but I sure as heck don't see what you all saw. Question, during Big 12 play, how many other teams had a starting guard average less than Bienemy did? Genuinely curious.

A quick glance to me suggests A LOT. He wasn't in the top 50 scorers in Big 12 play. That isn't overly impressive, freshman or not.

Good to know scoring is the only way to judge a freshman point guard on a veteran team. Question for you: how many did the starting point guard for the current national champions average?

 

[skyvue]

I sure as heck don't see what you all saw. Question, during Big 12 play, how many other teams had a starting guard average less than Bienemy did? Genuinely curious.

All that shows is that he didn't shoot very much.

Bieniemy averaged five points per game on the year, six ppg in conference play, and given that he averaged under 5 shots per game on the season and just over 5 per game in conference play, those point totals are fine.

He shot 39% overall and 40% from deep. He led the team in assists and in steals. His assist-to-turnover ratio was 2.5.

All of this as a true freshman who came in primarily as a two guard.

 

[Eielson]

he did what?

He developed our true freshmen point guard?

No. He said worked a bunch with.