After a three-month-long search for a new coach, one of the most storied programs in college basketball finally found their guy.
UCLA officially announced the hiring of Mick Cronin to lead its basketball program, which has won an NCAA record 11 national championships in its history. Cronin will now be tasked with leading the Bruins back to its glory days. (REPORT: Rick Barnes Turns Down UCLA, Was Offered $5 Million Annually)
We’re thrilled to announce that Mick Cronin will become our program’s next head coach.
Welcome to Los Angeles, Coach Cronin! ????????☀️
NEWS: https://t.co/wBvFYog3ep pic.twitter.com/fM065dqda0
— UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) April 9, 2019
Cronin was previously the head coach of Cincinnati for 13 years, where he led the program to nine straight NCAA tournament appearances, although he only made it out of the first weekend of the tournament once over the course of his tenure.
This is a disappointing hire for UCLA after having whiffed on big-name coaches such as John Calipari, Rick Barnes and Jamie Dixon before settling for Cronin. (RELATED: REPORT: Kentucky Offers John Calipari A Lifetime Contract)
However, he’s not as terrible a hire as some might think. Cronin is a solid coach, and although he may never be an elite one, it’s possible that he could make this program relevant again.
Hopefully, UCLA fans give him a fair shot to succeed. The last thing this program needs is to have to conduct another search four or five years from now.