University of Cincinnati's Mick Cronin to be next head coach at UCLA, UCLA reports - WCPO

CINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati men's basketball head coach Mick Cronin has agreed to become the UCLA coach.

Cronin, a 1997 UC graduate and 1990 La Salle High School graduate, agreed to a six-year contract worth $24 million, according to the UCLA release. He will be introduced on Wednesday morning.

UC did not have an immediate comment after UCLA made the announcement.

Cronin led the Bearcats from 2006-2019 which included an active streak of nine consecutive NCAA Tournament trips.

Cronin has become one of just six coaches in the nation to have led his program to the NCAA Tournament the last nine seasons. Joining him in that group are Mark Few (Gonzaga), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Bill Self (Kansas) and Roy Williams (North Carolina).

"I am incredibly humbled and honored to become the head coach at UCLA," Cronin said in a statement. "I'm especially grateful to Chancellor Block and to Dan Guerrero for this opportunity to join the Bruin Family. UCLA is a very special place with a strong tradition of excellence. To be able to join such a world-class institution is truly a privilege, and I can't wait to get started in Westwood."

Cronin has compiled a 365-171 record in 16 seasons as a collegiate head coach. He most recently served as head coach at his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati, for the previous 13 seasons (2006-19). He helped lead the Bearcats' program on a remarkable turnaround, guiding Cincinnati to the NCAA Tournament each of the past nine seasons.

In 2018, Cronin was named Sporting News National Coach of the Year and was also a semifinalist for the 2018 Naismith Trophy National Coach of the Year award. He secured American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year acclaim in 2014 in addition to being named the NABC's District 25 Coach of the Year. He currently leads the country for most NCAA Division I victories (365) among active coaches under the age of 50.

A native of Cincinnati, Cronin helped bring about a rebirth of the Bearcats' program, built upon toughness, tenacious defense and a continued, all-out effort. Cronin's teams at Cincinnati rank as one of just two in the nation (along with Virginia) to be listed among the nation's top 25 in scoring defense each of the past seven seasons.

Cronin, a former La Salle basketball standout, was inducted into the high school's hall of fame this past winter.

As a Lancer, he was voted all-city in 1990. He led the city in assists and second in the city in 3-point shooting percentage.

Cronin graduated in 1997 from the University of Cincinnati with his bachelor's degree in history. He started his coaching career as an assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at Woodward High School while he was completing his undergraduate work. Prior to becoming the head coach at Murray State in 2003, Cronin served as a video coordinator and assistant coach at Cincinnati and as the associate head coach at Louisville.

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2019-04-09 16:29:00Z
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