with his first book "The X's and O's of Success

UNLV head basketball coach Lon Kruger released his first book earlier this month. Called The Xs & Os of Success: A Playbook for Leaders in Business & Life, it was co-authored with D.J. Allen, who is the founder of Imagine Marketing in Henderson.

“There are many parallels between coaching athletes at a high level and leading a group of professionals in a business environment,” said Kruger. “We had fun putting the book together and wanted to offer a product that would allow a reader the opportunity to get a lesson and start implementing some of the ideas immediately.”

Kruger, who has a bachelor’s degree in business, is one of the most respected coaches in college basketball. Since becoming a head coach in 1982 at the age of 29, he has revitalized all five of the college programs he has led. Kruger is now entering his fifth season as the head coach of the Runnin’ Rebels. Since taking over, he has returned the UNLV team to national prominence. They have won 57 games in the past two years—as well as back-to-back Mountain West Conference Tournament championships.

“He [Kruger] is a master at changing cultures,” said Allen, who received his master’s degree in business administration from UNLV. “His lessons in the book are so refreshing, so straight-forward. We all have something that we can take from his teachings whether it is in our professional lives or our personal lives. The book is a quick read, but the 40 lessons will have a long-lasting impact.”

The Xs & Os of Success is a 270-page paperback. Published by Stephens Press, it costs $19.95 and is available at Borders stores located in Town Square Las Vegas, the Meadows Mall and McCarran International Airport. Autographed copies are also sold at coachkruger.com. Kruger’s proceeds from the book will be donated to local youth charities. For more information, call 702-407-1732.