History of Mick Cronin (basketball) in Timeline

Mick Cronin is an American basketball coach currently serving as the head men's basketball coach at UCLA. Known for his defensive-minded approach and player development, Cronin has built a reputation as a successful college coach. Prior to UCLA, he had a successful tenure as the head coach at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. His coaching career is marked by a focus on toughness, discipline, and a commitment to building strong team cultures, resulting in consistent success both on and off the court.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 17, 1971: Michael Walter Cronin Born

On July 17, 1971, Michael Walter Cronin, who became the head men's basketball coach at UCLA, was born.

1976: Gonzaga sought to be first undefeated national champion since 1976

In 2020-21 season, UCLA faced Gonzaga, who was seeking to become the first undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976.

1985: Largest Final Four point spread since 1985

In 2020-21 season, UCLA was a 14-point underdog against Gonzaga, the largest Final Four point spread since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

1989: All-city honors in basketball at LaSalle

In 1989, Mick Cronin, playing point guard for his dad at La Salle High School, earned all-city honors in basketball. He led the city in assists.

1991: Assistant Coaching Job at Woodward High School

In 1991, Mick Cronin was offered a job coaching the freshman team and assisting with the varsity team at Cincinnati Woodward High School by coach Jim Leon.

1994: Director of the Pittsburgh high school Roundball Classic

In 1994, Mick Cronin was director of the Pittsburgh high school Roundball Classic national all-star game.

1996: End of Woodward High School Coaching

In 1996, Mick Cronin ended his time as a varsity assistant coach and junior varsity coach at Woodward High School. During his time there, he compiled a 57–3 record in three seasons as JV coach, and as a varsity aide, Woodward claimed three city championships.

1996: Cronin Graduates from University of Cincinnati

In 1996, Mick Cronin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Cincinnati.

1996: Video Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati

In 1996, Mick Cronin took his first college coaching job as a video coordinator under Bob Huggins at the University of Cincinnati.

1996: Coached in the Magic Johnson Roundball Classic

In the spring of 1996, Mick Cronin coached the East team in the Magic Johnson Roundball Classic.

1997: Elevated to Assistant Coach at UC

In 1997, Mick Cronin was elevated to assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati.

2001: Associate Head Coach at Louisville

In 2001, Mick Cronin became the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Louisville under Rick Pitino.

2001: End of Assistant Coach Position at UC

In 2001, Mick Cronin ended his post as assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati.

2003: Hired as Head Coach at Murray State

In 2003, Mick Cronin's first head coaching job was at Murray State.

2005: Hired as Cincinnati's coach

After the 2005-06 season, Mick Cronin was hired as Cincinnati's coach, replacing interim coach Andy Kennedy after the dismissal of Bob Huggins.

2006: Named Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year

In 2006, Mick Cronin was named the Ohio Valley Conference coach of the year while coaching at Murray State.

2008: UCLA Reached Elite Eight and Final Four

In 2020-21 season, Cronin then led the Bruins to an overtime victory over No. 2 seeded Alabama, reaching the Elite Eight for the first time in his coaching career (and the first for UCLA since 2008). They defeated No. 1 seed Michigan to become the second First Four team to advance to the Final Four, the Bruins' first national semifinal since 2008.

2009: Successful Recruitment of Lance Stephenson

For the 2009–10 season, Mick Cronin successfully recruited Lance Stephenson, the all-time leading scorer in New York state high school basketball history.

2010: Start of Impressive Run for Bearcats

Beginning with the 2010 season, the Cincinnati Bearcats had an impressive run under Mick Cronin, amassing a 166-63 record through February 3, 2017.

2011: Contract Extension Through 2017

In 2011, the University of Cincinnati board of trustees approved a contract extension for Mick Cronin through 2017 with an average pay of $1.5 million a year.

2012: UC win over higher seed in the NCAA tournament

In 2012, Mick Cronin led the UC Bearcats to a win over a higher seed in the NCAA tournament, defeating 3rd-seeded Florida State when seeded 6th.

2012: Pac-12 Regular Season Championship

In 2022–23, Mick Cronin's UCLA team won their first Pac-12 regular season championship since 2012–13.

2015: First time the Bruins reached the regional semifinals in consecutive seasons since 2015

He led the 2021–22 team to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2022 NCAA tournament, the first time the Bruins had reached the regional semifinals in consecutive seasons since 2015.

2016: Two-year contract extension approved

In 2016, the UC board of trustees approved a 2-year extension that would have taken Mick Cronin through the 2022–23 season.

February 3, 2017: Bearcats Record Since 2010

From the beginning of the 2010 season to February 3, 2017, the Cincinnati Bearcats amassed a 166–63 record, spent 45 weeks ranked in the AP Poll, and reached six straight NCAA tournaments.