Mick Cronin (basketball coach)
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Mick Cronin was named the 26th head men's basketball coach in UC history in March 2006. 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 69-24 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.
