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Many players skip Kruger's speech
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UNLV coach Lon Kruger is interviewed outside the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday after a poorly attended meeting with players in which he announced he's leaving for Oklahoma. John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal » Buy this photo
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Updated: Apr. 2, 2011 | 8:51 a.m.
As reports spread Friday that coach Lon Kruger was leaving UNLV for Oklahoma, Carlos Lopez said he initially considered the calendar. The date was April 1.
"I really thought it was an April Fools' joke," the Rebels' freshman forward said.
Eventually, Lopez realized the truth. Kruger's seven-year run in Las Vegas was done, and he accepted a seven-year contract worth about $2.2 million per year to coach the Sooners.
"I can't lie, yes, I'm sad," Lopez said. "He was the guy who recruited me and the guy who believed me and the guy who taught me how to work hard. This is a business, and we understand Coach Kruger wants the best for him and his family."
Kruger caught a flight from Texas and met with the UNLV team at 9:30 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. Only five of the 11 returning scholarship players showed up for a meeting that lasted about 10 minutes.
Lopez and senior guard Kendall Wallace were joined by junior Oscar Bellfield and sophomores Reggie Smith and Quintrell Thomas.
Noticeably absent were starters Anthony Marshall and Chace Stanback.
"Maybe some of the guys are mad and hurt," said Lopez, adding that a couple players were out of town. "Coach Kruger didn't say much. Those meetings are not easy for either end. He was very short. He said to keep our grades up and finish strong."
Wallace, who redshirted last season because of a knee injury and will return for the 2011-12 season, said Kruger's sudden departure surprised everyone on the team.
"I didn't believe it at first, but we figured out later in the day it was true," Wallace said. "The guys don't know what to think right now. No one has really been through it.
"People didn't know what to feel and what to think. Some guys don't really know how to handle it."
Kruger had told several players early in the week not to believe the rumors of his interest in the Oklahoma job. At that point, Kruger said he told Oklahoma officials, "Thanks but no thanks," to the offer.
"What I told (the players) was exactly the truth," Kruger said. "Things change."
Kruger called most of the Rebels' players before leaving Texas.
"Those are the most difficult meetings because it's just so sudden," he said Friday night. "One day you're thinking one direction and the next day it's all different. These guys are so special to us."
Kruger said he plans to take his entire coaching staff to Oklahoma. Wallace said UNLV's players need to "move on and be ready for whoever comes in" to replace Kruger.
"I'm definitely a little disappointed, but it was a good offer he had so we can't blame him," Wallace said. "We wish him the best of luck."
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.
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mind your bus impalsaasa
agpoker1 - why are you calling everyone names?
jr62 - good idea!
jay walker slow down buddy its not the same thing as taking a better job what about him giving his word to the players he recruited that should be more important than money especially when u already got big dollars. You know whats next j walker you are a CLOWN
well put union dude
hey biff.wellinford you are a moron and a clown
hey n7v.blogspot.com You are the kind of person that makes UNLV look bad.have you ever heard of the UFC?id like to get you in the octagon. You are a clown
Sour grapes anyone? Kruger did great things for this program. He has been very heavily involved both with the team and with the community. As for money, when is the last time any of you complained when someone you know took a job paying twice as much? Saying that that shows lack of character is just small-minded... and hypocritical. This is a good move for Kruger. He didn't commit treason, or abandon his family, he took a better job... Period!
Kruger can't leave fast enough. ZERO regular season championships. All he cared about was beating the North Dakota State Southern's of the world so he could get enough W's to make the tournament - that's it. Good riddance.
Maybe we will get lucky and he will take the football coach also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!