Lon Kruger: Pave the Way, Florida Gators basketball

It Is a story relayed by Bill Koss, a former player, assistant coach, color commentator and famed Florida Basketball historian.

“I swear it happened, and it really wasn’t remarkable in the context of Lon Kruger,” he says.

And in truth, the act itself wasn’t all that remarkable . . . just a simple, “hello”.

Maybe more surprising than the greeting was that the young boy made his way within reach of Florida’s head coach DURING a game. . . and recognizing his friend patrolling the sideline, felt compelled to tap him on the shoulder.

Kruger diverted his attention from the contest versus rival Miami for a split, but sincere second. Kruger smiled, recognizing the young boy.

“Oh! Hello, Johnny!”

Kruger, of course, knew his name . . . he committed himself to remembering the names of fans, media members, ushers, camp attendees and just about any other community member he met.

And in just the eighth game of his tenure, a simple “hello” signaled to courtside observers – Florida’s new coach wasn’t there to make a name, but bring in new ones.

And boy, did Florida need some new names!

“People sometimes forget – When Lon came to Gainesville there were so many issues that not only hurt the program, but really eroded the fan base,” Koss recalled.

But Kruger, an ascending coach who had led Kansas State to the tournament each of his four seasons, as well as an Elite Eight run, was undeterred. And in classic Kruger fashion, he still, today, looks back on a somewhat mystifying move, and shrugs off the obstacles inherited.

A player drug scandal, NCAA investigation, a sports agent funneling payments, major violations and heavy sanctions that carried into his early tenure. . . all represented “a bit of turmoil, but an intriguing challenge”.

And while many still wonder what led him from the successes at his alma mater to a program that had more disarray than distinction, Kruger hinted at one reason once left unstated.

“At Kansas State – you know, the losses there were really difficult because I felt like I was letting down the state, letting down my alma mater– and especially with Kansas right down the road,” he revealed.

And so perhaps Kruger, who over his storied career became a famed program architect, saw in Florida his first re-build project.

But what would be the blueprint of such a massive overhaul?

“I wanted to first find quality people – people who wanted to be there, recruits who wanted to be there. I wanted to establish a culture in which the players were excited about getting up everyday and working hard, while realizing it was going to be a process,” he said.

And his very first recruit personified those values.

“We put a great deal of emphasis on character, work ethic, team-first attitude . . . people who fit what we were after, and people we enjoyed working with every day. And that was always at the root of all of our recruiting. And Craig Brown was a terrific starting point,” Kruger said.

But Kruger was not only recruiting players.

“We always felt the teams needed a community-based start. . . the shared ownership of the team,” he said of his dual efforts. “We wanted people at practice, and wanted people to feel connected to the team. And we wanted the players to see and be part of that, as well. So our practices were open, and we welcomed people to come by and bring their families. . . and we had our players shooting around with them afterwards. We wanted everyone to feel ownership of the team and program, and worked really hard to make that happen”.

Kruger worked hard and creatively.

“One of the first things Lon did was make up trading cards . . . actual trading cards of our players that he took down to the police station so that they could be handed out to young kids in the playgrounds, parks, schools and such,” Bill Koss revealed. “He made the decision to give the community full access to the program. He wanted his program to be part of the community and the community to be part of his program. IF someone wanted to be at a practice – he wanted them there!”.

And it wouldn’t be long before Lon turned those trading cards into some recognizable names and faces . . . Craig Brown, Dan Cross, Andrew DeClercq, Brian Thompson and Dametri Hill.

It was a grouping in which Kruger saw winning attributes during the preseason, but ironically – it was perhaps its best player who represented the biggest question. . . a question answered two games into the season.

“From the start, the group really worked hard, and really enjoyed the process of getting better every day. We had good pieces that meshed well together, and its was a group that each guy felt responsible to take care of his role,” Kruger said. “But I think it was the game at Texas where Dan Cross emerged – we kind of converted him to the point guard position, and that game showed he could handle it. And we consistently improved from there.”

Of course, that 1993-1994 team did far more than improve. The “Find A Way” team did exactly that – finding its way not only into Florida’s first ever Final Four, but also into the hearts of the community. . . a community once scorned by the sport and its program.

“Lon did everything in the world to create a bond between the Florida fan and his basketball program, and to a larger degree – the University of Florida,” Bill Koss recalled. “In all of the years I have been around The University of Florida, no other individual did more to heal the disappointment from all that occurred in 80’s. And then to take his team and that community to its first ever Final Four – it was incredible.”

That, Kruger, says is the legacy of which he is most proud.

“For Florida basketball – to have the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in state, in Miami – it was huge. I think because so many fans were there – because so many fans experienced it and felt it, I think it kind of changed their feeling about basketball at Florida,” Kruger said, before quicky deferring credit. “And that goes to the credit of those players for stepping up on the big stage.”

On the heels of its magical run, and under the leadership of its 2-time SEC Coach of the Year, Florida and its rejuvenated fans hoped the ‘big stage’ had also set the stage . . . namely for the arrival of in-state superstar, Vince Carter.

But alas . . .

“We weren’t quite able to follow it up. You look back on it, Vince Carter was coming out and we weren’t able to fully capitalize on the Final Four run,” Kruger said. “We were in on Vince really good and Carolina came in late – and that was a big swing in that recruiting class.”

But was it THE swing in his tenure, as long speculated?

‘That was certainly a turning point in the sense that if he was on the roster the following year, it would have made a big difference – and not just his talent, but an in-state guy who stayed home,” Kruger acknowledged. “But I don’t know that any one thing … It was kind of a combination. Probably the most major thing was family – dad was battling cancer that time. I never really talked too much about this, but getting closer to that situation contributed more than anything else.”

And though the courtship with Illinois culminated both quickly and unexpectedly – moving on wasn’t any less difficult for a Kruger family with incredible community involvement and deep roots.

“We really enjoyed Gainesville, and it’s a great University. People ask us about our favorite stops – and sometimes it relates to the age of your kids. We went to Florida and they were 6th and 3rd graders, and because of their activities . . . you get involved and meet a lot of families. And because of all that – the kids, and the families and the University . . . we talk of Florida as our most favorite stop,” Kruger said.

Those kids are, of course grown now, and a once beloved, moppy-haired ball boy is the head coach at UNLV.

Still, the ties remain.

“Kevin is a huge, huge Florida fan, and our daughter, Angie did her undergrad work there and med-school at Florida. So they are big Gators fans – no question,” Kruger said.

And he too has celebrated the program’s successes.

“Billy Donovan came in and took it to great, great heights . . . and it was great to see,” he said.

But, of course, Kruger did more than “see”. If his team’s motto was “Find A Way”, Kruger’s might be – “Pave The Way”.

“It was Lon Kruger and his success that gave Billy the confidence to take the job. . . to come to The University of Florida and take that shot,” Bill Koss stated. “Billy told me that directly.”

And though Kruger will offer himself no such commendation, those who know Florida basketball best certainly will.

“It is a fact that Lon Kruger put in place the foundation for The University of Florida’s rise to becoming one of the national powers in college basketball,” said Koss. “The entire culture he established from the very beginning is the culture we have today. So, when you think about how he impacted athletics at The University of Florida, I think Lon’s hiring was one of the most significant statements made in our program history”.

And though basketball scholars and Donovan himself have echoed the same regarding his indelible impression upon the program, Kruger offers a slightly more modest assessment.

“Maybe the feelings about Florida basketball changed a little bit, following some very bad times from a fan perspective. I appreciate what Billy and others have said about the grassroots part of it, and it certainly elevated since then. And hopefully it was a springboard,” he said. “But really – hopefully the fans enjoyed it, and enjoyed the run.”

Forever about the fans, Kruger now is able to become one, having retired after 45 years of coaching.  This evening he will be at the Florida/Oklahoma game, watching his “favorite stop” take on his most recent one. And though this contest is in Norman, Kruger looks forward to an opportunity to return to Florida for a Gators game.
“We will be down there for sure. Coach White does a terrific job, and we still have a lot of friends at Florida,” Kruger said.

Whether a friend or not- if you see him, tap him on the shoulder and say hello. If he doesn’t know your name, he will certainly learn it.