UCLA hiring Mick Cronin

[RayIsTheGOAT]

RICK PITINO

 

[BUConn10]

Any Cinci fan happy about this News is delusional and will remember this day.

 

[intlzncster]

Thad Matta would be a tremendous hire for Cincinnati and an upgrade over Cronin.

I'll be surprised if he gets back into the game at a high level. He interviewed for a bunch of top jobs, but he always withdraws his own name (likely because of medical status). But I've idea of his shape in that regard.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[TopDogs]

...did they make cronin black?

 

[intlzncster]

...did they make cronin black?

Gotta have a tan in LA.

 

[huskymedic]

Touché Mr. Borges:

 

[superjohn]

I love that people here truly believe they’re thinking critically by implying that because Mick Cronin is short, bald, and Irish that he couldn’t possibly make it in California.

He’s going there to coach basketball not to steal Blake Lively from Ryan Reynolds.

I'm getting the same impression you are. Is every UCLA/USC coach supposed to look and talk like Lavin?

 

[UconnU]

Cincinnati fans are calling for the school to hire Rick Pitino.

 

[Waquoit]

I like Mick and I'm glad he got paid. And I agree, it's no given that Cincy will do better.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Cincinnati fans are calling for the school to hire Rick Pitino.

And it would be a great hire for Cincinnati and the AAC.

 

[UconnU]

The way that this hiring process played out is going to put pressure on Mick to win immediately. UCLA fans feel like the school “settled” on Mick after missing on the guys they really wanted. Mick should have taken a page out of the Barnes playbook and used their offer to get himself a raise at Cincy.

 

[Mano]

I was jokey about it before in other threads but he should do fine out there. If he can get kids to play hard like they did when he was with Cincy they could start out toughing some of those teams out there and win some games. If he can score some 5-stars with the UCLA brand then they might go places. Even past the second round maybe.

Wonder what his buyout is going to be. Didn’t they offer Barnes upwards of 5 mil?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Just an absolute clinic by UCLA in how to conduct a coaching search.

 

[Huskyforlife]

The only way for Cincinnati to survive this is pitino or matta. Otherwise the AAC has added one more bottom feeder. Terrific.

 

[uconnever]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that this is an exceptional hire for UCLA. They need stability and toughness, and Mick will give them both. Plus he'll get some 5-stars, which should get them to the 2nd weekend pretty regularly (and third weekend occasionally).

They'll play like Virginia, tho. I do wonder if UCLA fans will sit still for that...

Totally agree, just what they and he needs to succeed. He will be able to get more talented recruits and add a toughness there which is in my opinion what they seemed to lack most of the time. Recipe for success. I don’t like him but.....nice move.

 

[don356]

One good thing they have is an ad who appears to be in touch if his hire in football is any indication, and a newly refurbished arena. Also, interesting as they have a solid fan base who appears from most comments to welcome the change and yes they are hoping for a more offensive oriented guy. What does Hurley make?

 

[CTBasketball]

How does it feel to be Option D Mick?

 

[gsmooth]

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES??? HAHAHAHA YESSSSSSSSSS

THIS IS AN AMAZING DAY. MAYBE LIKE THE 32ND BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL LOL. Your avatar always make me laugh. "Expert in round of 32 flame outs" LOL LOL.

Seriously, I am happy for you-we all know you didn't think Cronin was good for your BearCats. Who do you think Cincy will hire as HC?

 

[Marat]

How does it feel to be Option D Mick?

Well for $24 million ...... not too bad for Mick.

 

[the Q]

Do you honestly thing you are going to do better though?

Thad Matta is at least somewhat realistic and possibly better.

After that...you’re gambling on mid major guys.

 

[don356]

Well for $24 million . not too bad for Mick.

Doubled his salary.

 

[Yorkeez4]

My understanding is that Barnes is supplementing part of Mick’s contract from the raise Tenn gave him for not leaving. A win for everyone.

 

[the Q]

Just an absolute clinic by UCLA in how to conduct a coaching search.

Books that will never be written:

“How to conduct a great head basketball coach search by Dan Guerrero”

 

[upstater]

I've watched much lesser schools like Houston and SMU revive (or, vive in SMU's case) their moribund programs in this conference. Cincy will exceed them if they make the right hire. I don't think Cronin was anything special. His recruiting didn't really stand out. Remember, this school produced multiple NBA stars under Huggy, and they did it in a crap conference. Although I have to admit, I am concerned that Nick Lachey is going to spend some of his considerable bank account to help land a great coach.