Lon Kruger

UNLV fired football coach Mike Sanford on Sunday, a day after an ugly loss to Air Force guaranteed a losing season for the Rebels. UNLV President Neal Smatresk and Jerry Koloskie, the interim athletic director, said Sanford will finish the season, coaching the RebelsÕ final game Nov.Ê28. The firing had been long expected. Sanford had never been able to revamp the program. In five years he had time to recruit players and build a program, but it never gained momentum. Although the program was relatively problem-free off the field, the Rebels had plenty of problems on the field. Sanford never posted a winning season ... Read Full Story

MR. LAS VEGAS TAKES YOUR QUESTIONS As part of our coverage of Wayne Newton, we asked our readers for their questions for Mr. Las Vegas and he was kind enough to answer them. HereÕs a sample of what youÕll find online. Question: ÒI know people have been bringing you gifts for years. What is the most memorable gift youÕve received on stage? Funny or extravagant?Ó — Paula NewtonÕs Answer: The most memorable gift I have ever received on stage was an invitation from a lady to join her in her room but she also asked if her husband could watch. Read it at lasvegassun.com/newtonqa.. ... Read Full Story

ONLINE |For more coverage on UNLV basketball, go to lasvegassun.com/rebels. IF YOU GO What: UNLV vs. Pittsburg State When: 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Thomas & Mack Center Tickets: $8-$28; unlvtickets.com KRUGER AT UNLV 2004-05 17-14 2005-06 17-13 2006-07 30-7 2007-08 27-8 2008-09 21-11 Overall 112-53 UNLV basketball coach Lon Kruger knew Super Bowl Sunday was the pivotal point of last season. His players bolted from the Thomas & Mack Center to watch the big game. The previous night, they won at Air Force by 21 points to boost their record to 17-4. FoolÕs gold, Kruger thought. They werenÕt fully invested in the defensive side ... Read Full Story

The 1990 national championship Rebels basketball team will be honored with a halftime ceremony at tonightÕs exhibition game against Washburn at the Thomas & Mack Center. Jerry Tarkanian coached Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony, Anderson Hunt and the rest of the team that belted Duke, 103-73, the widest margin of victory in a college hoops title game. Did 20 years really fly by that quickly? ÒItÕs amazing,Ó said Tarkanian, 79. ÒIt sure went fast.Ó Johnson, the star of the team, was on a business trip in New York and flew back to participate in the 20-year anniversary festivities. In fact, the only player ... Read Full Story

For more coverage of UNLV basketball, go to lasvegassun.com/rebels. Darris Santee wears his soul on his shoulders. An elaborate scroll of Psalms 27 is etched in ink on the left: ÒWhom shall I fear? É of whom shall I be afraid? É When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.Ó On his right shoulder, the tattoo reads: ÒOnly God Can Judge Me.Ó ÒThatÕs important to me, too,Ó Santee said. ÒDonÕt worry about what other people think or say about you. GodÕs the only one who can judge you.Ó Santee, a 6-foot-8, ... Read Full Story