Kruger endorses Henson for job

As the college coaching carousel keeps spinning, Lon Kruger said he is staying at UNLV. One of his assistants, Steve Henson, could be in position to make a move, however.

Henson is considered a potential replacement to Bob Huggins at Kansas State. Huggins accepted the West Virginia coaching job Thursday.

"I think Steve would be an outstanding candidate," Kruger said. "That would be a great fit for Steve."

Kruger, 54, said he has no intention of returning to Kansas State, where he coached his alma mater from 1986 to 1990.

The Wildcats made four NCAA Tournament appearances under Kruger, and Henson was the starting point guard each year.

Henson, 39, is a native of McPherson, Kan. He graduated from Kansas State in 1990 and was named to the school's all-century team.

Henson, who has spent the past three years as an assistant to Kruger, said he will listen if contacted by Kansas State.

"I would be very interested," Henson said. "I loved my time there, and it's a very, very special place."

Kruger's name was frequently linked to the opening at Michigan. But he shot down that speculation two weeks ago, after the Rebels finished the season 30-7 with a Sweet 16 loss to Oregon.

John Beilein left West Virginia this week for Michigan, opening the door for Huggins to return to his alma mater.

In his only year at Kansas State, Huggins guided the Wildcats to a 23-12 record, 10-6 in the Big 12 Conference, and the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

"Huggins got people excited again and did some good things in his short stay there," Henson said.

A year ago, Kansas State was not interested in Henson, instead pursuing the high-profile Huggins. The program is now in need of stability, making Henson a more viable candidate.

"Steve does a great job developing the skill level of players, and he has a great feel for the game," Kruger said.

Henson, who played six seasons in the NBA and three overseas, came to UNLV in 2004 after one year as a South Florida assistant. Before that, he spent two years as an assistant coach and scout for the Atlanta Hawks.

Henson started his coaching career as an assistant to Kruger at Illinois in 1999.

One possible case against Henson's candidacy at Kansas State is his lack of head coaching experience.

"That's kind of a shallow argument," Kruger said. "Every head coach was in that situation at one point in his career."

Rebels assistant coach Greg Grensing also has ties to Kansas State, where he was an assistant from 1986 to 1994.