TicketsApril 5, 2011
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati men's basketball head coach Mick Cronin has agreed to terms of a contract extension and will remain at the Bearcats helm. The new agreement will extend the term of Cronin's contract through the2016-17 season. His guaranteed compensation will now be $1.25 million annually. The agreement is pending approval of the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustrees.
"I'm very happy to announce the news of this extension," said UC director of athletics Mike Thomas. "Mick Cronin has done an outstanding job over the past five years to rebuild the Bearcats program and return it to the NCAA tournament this year. I am excited about where he can take this program from here."
Cronin became the UC head coach in March 2006. Since then, he has steadily improved the program, culminating in the Bearcats earning a spot in the year's NCAA national championship tournament, the first appearance for UC since 2005. Cronin is 88-77 in five seasons at UC (157-101 in eight seasons overall). Under his tutelage, the Bearcats are the only major conference men's basketball program in the nation to have improved its win total each year since the 2006-07 season.
"It has been an honor to be the men's basketball head coach at the University of Cincinnati," said Cronin. "I want to thank Mike Thomas and (UC) President (Gregory H.) Williams for their support and commitment to me and my family. I'm excited about our future and can't wait to get started with spring workouts and building our team for next season. I also want to thank the fans and everyone who have been so supportive of our program."
The Bearcats men's basketball team will hold its annual end-of-season awards banquet on Wednesday at 6 p.m.