Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 2, 1990 TAG: 9004020088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: GAINESVILLE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
Athletic director Bill Arnsparger made the announcement, ending a months-long search for a permanent replacement for Norm Sloan. Sloan resigned under pressure at the scandal-rocked school, and interim coach Don DeVoe finished off a losing season.
Kruger has led Kansas State to the NCAA Tournament in each of his four years at the helm of the Big Eight Conference school.
Kruger's four-year record at Kansas State, his alma mater, was 81-46, including a 20-11 record his first year that took Kansas State to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1982.
Kruger's second Wildcat team in 1987-88 ranks as one of the school's all-time best, at 25-9 tying the school record for most victories in a season. It came within one game of reaching the Final Four.
The 1988-89 Kansas State team had a 19-11 record and participated in the NCAA Tournament as did his 1989-90 team, with a 17-15 mark.
Kruger was the first coach in school history to lead the Wildcats to four consecutive NCAA postseason appearances.
"His name has appeared among the list of the nation's top coaches for the last several years," said Arnsparger, who emphasized that Florida wants a winner on the court and off.
The Florida football and basketball teams are under NCAA investigations. Florida recently hired former star quarterback Steve Spurrier as the head football coach.
"It would be safe to say that Lon's name is near the top of the collegiate list when it comes to listing individuals who combine basketball coaching ability with leadership and citizenship characteristics," Arnsparger said.
"The fact that he has chosen to leave his alma mater for the position at Florida says a great deal about what he believes he can achieve here during the decade of the 1990s," Arnsparger said. "He was very interested in the University of Florida because of its combined reputation for academic and athletic achievement.
"His appointment is an indicator to the collegiate community that the University of Florida basketball program is on solid ground and is led by a highly respected coach."
Kruger, in a prepared statement, said: "We are excited and pleased to be a part of the University of Florida and its basketball program. We're leaving some outstanding people and an outstanding basketball program at Kansas State, but feel we're joining some outstanding people and an outstanding basketball program at Florida.
Kruger was voted the Big Eight Player-of-the-Year in 1972 and 1973 and led the Wildcats to a combined 61-22 record during three years on the court. He was a three-time All-Big Eight Academic Team selection and was also named Academic All-American as a senior.
Kruger began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh State University in 1976-77, where he also obtained his Master's Degree. He was then a member of the Kansas State coaching staff from 1977-82.
In 1982, he took over the Pan American University program. His first team won only seven games, but was 20-8 in his last season before heading to Kansas State.
by CNB