Sounds like UNLV is in a terrible budget situation

[seniorsooner]

And that could have played a huge part in Kruger's decision to leave. Tweets from Ryan Greene, UNLV beat writer for the Vegas Sun:

Was in a spring football meeting, but just got confirmation from a source: Kruger to #Oklahoma all but a done deal #UNLV

Was told my report two days ago was accurate, but #Oklahoma's third offer too good to say no to. Hearing it's a 7-year deal. #UNLV

The offer to Kruger from #Oklahoma was its third push at him, he finally gave said yes. 7 years, $16 million is what's being reported. #UNLV

Hearing #UNLV couldn't have extended him, as it's no guarantee that, with its financial troubles, it could have matched what he's currently making two years from now when his deal expired #UNLV

Would have been financially irresponsible for LK to say no to #Oklahoma's offer given #UNLV's current state. Can't blame him at all.

LK will turn 59 in August. You'd have to assume this is his last stop. He'll retire in Vegas. Just built retirement palace in So. Highlands.

I'm about 50-50 on the 'surprise' meter. When he told me no the other day, I wasn't at all considering the matter completely done

State's University system is in beyond woeful shape. Budget cuts all over. Recruiting budget just took a major hit, too.

Word has it that reason #UNLV couldn't extend LK is because they couldn't guarantee they could afford to maintain current salary.

Casino business hurting as bad as education, unfortunately.

UNLV's Justin Hawkins (also from PTHO) says he hasn't heard anything re: Kruger to OK. Team meeting 2nite; JH was told Kruger will be there.

When we have no clue what UNLV could afford to pay him in 2 years, and there's 16 mil on the other table, easy choice, IMO ...

Just spoke with one of the #UNLV assistants. Genuine shock and surprise best describes the mindset.

http://twitter.com/ryanmgreene

 

[oukimber]

Yes, UNLV is in a bad situation money wise...and one of the new Governor's first acts was to cut 64 million from UNLV's budget.

Resulted in several program closures, 2 sports being dropped, and 2.3 mm or so being cut from the athletic budget. I didn't think that OU would be able to lure him, because he really loves Vegas by most accounts. But if we could get him, I bet the budget situation played heavily in the pros and cons list.

 

[Jason]

Kimber is right. UNLV has even discussed dropping it's football program.

 

[oukimber]

Kimber is right. UNLV has even discussed dropping it's football program.

UNLV has a football program?
:facepalm

 

[sanguinetti]

i read an article the other day that said UNLV was firing tenured professors to try and get out of a university-wide budget deficit (partially caused by athletic expenditures).

bad situation.

 

[Big Old Booger]

UNLV has a football program?
:facepalm

When I was in LV a few weeks back, somebody told me the football stadium isn't even owned by the school? Is that correct?

 

[tycat947]

When I was in LV a few weeks back, somebody told me the football stadium isn't even owned by the school? Is that correct?

There's a football stadium in Vegas that's not high school???

 

[Big Old Booger]

There's a football stadium in Vegas that's not high school???

Where do you think they play the Las Vegas Bowl and where the runnin rebels play football?

 

[Max Power]

There's a football stadium in Vegas that's not high school???

well Bishop Gorman plays home games there, it the same stadium that has the Las Vegas Bowl. Its just outside city limits http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Boyd_Stadium

 

[oukimber]

When I was in LV a few weeks back, somebody told me the football stadium isn't even owned by the school? Is that correct?

Not sure who owns it. But it is about 15 -20 miles east of campus.

 

[Jason]

Not sure who owns it. But it is about 15 -20 miles east of campus.

It's not owned by UNLV. I believe it's Boyd Gaming. Ironically enough, Sam Boyd was from Enid, OK.