It took 100 days to finally get it done, but UCLA found their next head coach: Mick Cronin
After leading Cincinnati to the past nine NCAA tournaments, Cronin agreed to a six-year, $24 million contract with the Bruins.
“Mick Cronin is a fierce competitor, and I’m excited to welcome him to Westwood,” UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero said in a statement. “Mick has built a fantastic program at Cincinnati, backed by integrity and discipline, and he has instilled an undeniable toughness in his student-athletes. I am confident he will build this program the right way and lead UCLA basketball back to national prominence.”
Cronin spent 13 years with the Bearcats. He won at least 20 games in each of the past nine seasons, and he went 89-18 over the course of the last three years. He was hired after UCLA pursued John Calipari, Rick Barnes and Jamie Dixon.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to become the head coach at UCLA,” Cronin said. “I’m especially grateful to Chancellor [Gene] 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.”