Front-runners to be next UNLV basketball coach

T.J. Otzelberger is leaving the Rebels after just two years on the job to accept the same position at Iowa State, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation.

Now UNLV is looking for its sixth head coach in 10 years.

Here are the front-runners, listed alphabetically:

— Kevin Kruger: The former Rebels point guard, the son of former UNLV coach Lon Kruger, is an assistant coach on the UNLV staff and would allow for some semblance of continuity.

— Steve Lavin: He hasn’t coached since 2015, but a person close to the UNLV program says he “really wants the job.” He coached UCLA to six NCAA Tournament appearances, from 1996-2003, and was most recently the coach at St. John’s, leading the Red Storm to two NCAA Tournament appearances in five years.

— Cuonzo Martin: The coach at Missouri, Martin has known UNLV athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois since their days at Tennessee, where he coached from 2011-14 and she oversaw the men’s basketball program.

— Porter Moser: The coach at Loyola-Chicago, Moser has the Ramblers in the NCAA Tournament again after reaching the Final Four in 2018.

— Rick Pitino: Widely regarded as one of the greatest — and most controversial — college basketball coaches of all time, Pitino spent the 2020-21 season steering Iona to the MAAC championship and NCAA Tournament. Multiple people insist he is interested in the UNLV job after missing out in 2019 when Otzelberger was hired.