The contract extension, which needs approval from the Nevada System of Higher Education regents, would reward Kruger after he led the Rebels to a 30-7 record and an appearance in the NCAA men's basketball championship tournament's Sweet 16 for the first time in 16 years.

"This contract is necessary to demonstrate a commitment to our mens head coach," says the document negotiated by UNLV Athletic Director Mike Hamrick and included in an agenda for the regents' June 21 meeting in Reno.

The new five-year deal would provide a big raise from Kruger's current contract, which had three years remaining.

University athletic department spokesman Andy Grossman said today he could not comment on the contract until after the regents meeting.

Kruger earned $824,500 for the 2006-07 season, including a base salary of $165,000, media appearance fees of $300,000 and public appearance fees of $284,500. He also received a $25,000 bonus for qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, and an additional $25,000 for each postseason victory over Georgia Tech and Wisconsin.

Under his old contract, Kruger was to be paid $809,500 plus incentives for the 2007-08 season. The first year of the new deal raises his guaranteed salary to $975,000.

The contract increases Kruger's guaranteed salary to $1 million in the second year, $1.025 million in the third year, $1.075 million in the fourth year and $1.125 million in the final year.

Kruger would reap a completion bonus of $325,000 if he is still coach at the end of the 2011-12 season. If he leaves UNLV for another college or professional coaching job, a buyout provision exists for $500,000.

Kruger, 64-34 in three years with the Rebels, is not among the highest-paid coaches in college basketball.