TicketsMarch 23, 2006
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CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Mick Cronin, who played a key role in the recent past of the University of Cincinnati's basketball program, will now lead its future.
Cronin, who has served as head coach at Murray State the past three seasons, has been named head coach of the Bearcats. He will be introduced at a media conference on Friday afternoon.
"Since becoming AD on Dec. 1, I have talked to countless coaches, commissioners, administrators and other experts around the college basketball world. The one name that constantly came up in these discussions was Mick Cronin," stated UC athletic director Mike Thomas.
"Mick is held in high regard as an up-and-coming head coach by several coaches in the BIG EAST Conference," Thomas continued. "He is considered among the best as a recruiter, and that comes both from coaches and recruiting experts evaluating the results of his recruiting efforts, and the families of the young men who have great respect for the way he communicates to them.
"One of the important qualifications that Mick brings to the program is his previous ties to it," Thomas added. "He has been a part of our great tradition here at Cincinnati. Throughout this process I have said that I would take into consideration the opinion of our fans, but I have been focused on finding a coach who could link the proud past of the UC program with our promising future."
The appointment reunites the Cincinnati native with his alma mater and the school at which he launched his coaching career.
The 34-year old Cronin is widely-recognized in the college basketball circles as one of the nation's top up-and-coming coaches. He compiled a 69-23 record during his three seasons as head coach at Murray State, directing the Racers to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.
Cronin, who built a reputation for his ability to recruit top talent during his seven seasons as an assistant coach, wasted little time establishing his credentials as a head coach upon taking over the Murray State program in 2003. Cronin directed the Racers to a 28-6 record, the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. His 28 wins is the fifth-most for a first-year head coach in NCAA history.
Following a 17-11 campaign in 2004-05, Cronin piloted the Racers to a 24-6 ledger this past season. Murray State claimed the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title with a 17-3 record, then won the OVC Tournament. Cronin was voted league coach of the year honors.
Cronin launched his coaching career on the college level in 1997-98 at Cincinnati when he was promoted from video coordinator to assistant coach. He made an immediate impact as a recruiter, playing a key role in signing five Bearcats who went on to be NBA draft picks: Steve Logan, two-time Conference USA Player of the Year (Golden State); DerMarr Johnson, Parade Magazine National Prep Player of the Year and C-USA Freshman of the Year (Atlanta); Pete Mickeal, a junior college national player of the year selection (Dallas); Kenny Satterfield, a McDonald's All-American (Dallas); and Jason Maxiell (Detroit).
Cronin helped UC attract Top 5-rated recruiting classes in two of his last three seasons and another that was ranked in the Top 10. His work as a coach helped UC compile a 108-26 record, capture five C-USA regular season titles and a pair of tournament crowns.
Cronin left UC to become associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Louisville in 2001-02. In his very first year, he helped attract a Top 10 recruiting class. One of his key signees, Francisco Garcia, was the C-USA Freshman of the Year in 2003 and eventually was drafted by Sacramento.
Cronin was recognized as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation by a number of sports publications. He was rated as the top assistant coach in the nation in 2002-03 by Athlon and the top assistant in Conference USA by Lindy's. That same year, The Sporting News named him the top recruiting assistant in the nation and the top assistant in C-USA.
While completing his undergraduate degree at UC, Cronin served as assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at Woodward High. He compiled a 57-3 record as jayvee mentor and helped the varsity claim three city championships. He helped develop six players who went on to play Division I college basketball, including former Bearcat Damon Flint.
Cronin earned all-city honors in basketball at LaSalle High. He led the city in assists and was second in 3-point field goal percentage in 1989-90. A knee injury ended his promising playing career.
Mick is the second generation of the Cronin family in the coaching ranks. Father Harold "Hep" Cronin was a highly-successful high school coach in the Greater Cincinnati area, compiling over 400 victories.
-- UC --