History of Mick Cronin (basketball) in Timeline

Mick Cronin is an American college basketball coach, currently serving as the head coach for UCLA. Known for his emphasis on defense and toughness, Cronin previously coached at Cincinnati, where he led the Bearcats to nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Before Cincinnati, he coached at Murray State, leading them to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Cronin is regarded as a strong program builder and recruiter, with a track record of success in developing players and fostering a winning culture. His coaching philosophy prioritizes discipline and hard work.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 17, 1971: Michael Walter Cronin Born

On July 17, 1971, Michael Walter Cronin was born. He is now an American college basketball coach who is the head coach at UCLA.

1976: Sought to Become First Undefeated National Champion

In 2020-21, UCLA faced Gonzaga, who was seeking to become the first undefeated national champion since Indiana in 1976. UCLA was a 14-point underdog, the largest Final Four point spread since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

1985: Largest Final Four Point Spread

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

1988: Brother Drafted by Atlanta Braves

In 1988, Mick Cronin's brother, Dan, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves.

1989: All-City Honors

During the 1989–90 season, Mick Cronin, playing point guard for his dad, earned all-city honors in basketball at LaSalle. He led the city in assists and was second in 3-point shooting percentage.

1991: Varsity Assistant Coach at Woodward High

From 1991 to 1996, Mick Cronin served as a varsity assistant coach and junior varsity coach at Woodward High.

1994: Director of Pittsburgh High School Roundball Classic

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

1996: Varsity Assistant Coach at Woodward High

From 1991 to 1996, Mick Cronin served as a varsity assistant coach and junior varsity coach at Woodward High.

1996: Received Bachelor of Arts Degree

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

1996: Video Coordinator at University of Cincinnati

In 1996–97, Mick Cronin took his first college coaching job as a video coordinator under Bob Huggins at the University of Cincinnati.

1996: Coached East Team in 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

In 1997, Mick Cronin was elevated to assistant coach, a post he held at UC until 2001.

2001: Associate Head Coach at Louisville

Beginning with the 2001–02 season, Mick Cronin became the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Louisville under Rick Pitino.

2001: Assistant Coach Until 2001

From 1997 until 2001, Mick Cronin was an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati.

2003: Coached Murray State Racers

From 2003 to 2006, Mick Cronin coached the Murray State Racers.

2003: Hired 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.

2005: Mother's Death

Mick Cronin's mother, Peggy, died of cancer in 2005.

2006: Joined Cincinnati

In 2006, Mick Cronin joined the University of Cincinnati as head coach.

2006: Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year

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

2008: Elite Eight

In 2020-21, Cronin 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).

2009: Recruited Lance Stephenson

For the 2009–10 season, Mick Cronin successfully recruited Lance Stephenson, who was later named the Big East Rookie of the Year.

2009: Divorced From Darlene Taylor

Mick Cronin was married to Darlene Taylor until they divorced in 2009.

2010: Improved School's Win Total

From the beginning of the 2010 season to February 3, 2017, Mick Cronin's teams improved the school's win total each of his first five seasons.

2011: Contract Extension

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: Defeated Florida State in NCAA tournament

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

2012: First Pac-12 Regular Season Championship

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

December 22, 2014: Diagnosed With Aneurysm

On December 22, 2014, during the 2014–2015 season, Mick Cronin, 43, was diagnosed with an unruptured aneurysm detected when he underwent medical testing for unexplained headaches.

2014: Illness During 2014-15 Season

During the 2014–15 season, Mick Cronin missed a portion of the season due to an illness, having only coached for the first nine games.

2014: Named AAC Coach of the Year

In 2014, Mick Cronin was named the coach of the year of the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

January 2, 2015: Would not coach remainder of the season

On January 2, 2015, it was announced that Mick Cronin would not coach the remainder of the season due to an unruptured aneurysm. However, he would oversee the program and be involved in recruiting.

March 30, 2015: Cleared to Return to Coaching

On March 30, 2015, Mick Cronin announced he had a clean bill of health and was cleared to return to full-time coaching duties following his diagnosis of an arterial dissection.

2015: Reached Regional Semifinals

The 2021-22 team was the first time the Bruins had reached the regional semifinals in consecutive seasons since 2015.

2016: Contract Extension

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: Success at Bearcats

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

March 2017: Fifth Third Arena Renovation

In March 2017, the University of Cincinnati began an $87 million renovation of Fifth Third Arena.

2017: Lost to UCLA

After Cincinnati lost to UCLA in the 2017 NCAA tournament, they defeated the Bruins in two consecutive regular-season matches by an average of 21.5 points.

2017: Contract Extended 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.

2017: First NCAA Tournament Win Since 2017

In 2020-21, they defeated Michigan State in the First Four for the Bruins' first NCAA tournament win since 2017.

2018: Defeated UCLA

After Cincinnati lost to UCLA in the 2017 NCAA tournament, they defeated the Bruins in two consecutive regular-season matches by an average of 21.5 points. Its 29-point win in 2018–19 was part of a UCLA four-game losing streak which led up to Alford's midseason dismissal.