Louisville Coaching Candidate Profile: UCLA Head Coach Mick Cronin

The former assistant coach for the Cardinals has ties to the region, and has been mostly successful out in Westwood.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville fired men's basketball head coach Kenny Payne last week, ending a two-year stint with the Cardinals. As the coaching search begins, we will break down each potential candidate, from the realistic to the far reaches. Next, we'll take a look at UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin.

Name: Mick Cronin
Age: 52
Born and Raised: Cincinnati, Ohio
Playing Career: La Salle High School
Previous Experience: Head coach at Murray State from 2003 to 2006, head coach at alma mater of Cincinnati from 2006 to 2019 before taking UCLA job.
Connections to Louisville: Served as an assistant coach under Rick Pitino from 2001 to 2003.

Pros: Louisville is a program that desperately needs constancy and stability, and for the decade or so, that is something that Cronin's teams have brought to the table. Over the past 14 seasons, Cronin has failed to reach the 20-win mark just twice (his first year at UCLA and current season), along with eight seasons where his teams cracked 25 wins, and three with 30-plus. While the Bruins have been underwhelming this season, his previous three seasons all saw him reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, including a Final Four in 2021. His squads are known for their toughness and grit on the defensive end, a style that will resonate with the Louisville fanbase. Since the 2010-11 season, a Cronin-coached team has failed to crack the top 25 in KenPom defensive efficiency just five times. Being a midwestern guy, he has a plethora of recruiting ties to the area. Also having previously worked at Louisville, he should have a solid understanding of the expectations of the job. While Cronin's coaching is ahead of his recruiting, he has appeared to embrace the modern landscape. His '22 and '23 classes both cracked the top 20, and featured a combined seven four-star and three-five star prospects according to 247Sports.

Cons: As consistant as Cronin has been during the regular season, he has been remarkably underwhelming once the NCAA Tournament rolls around. Out of his 14 trips to the Big Dance between his three head coaching stops, Cronin has made it past the first weekend just five times. While he has taken UCLA that far the last three seasons before going 16-17 this year, before arriving in Westwood, Cronin hadn't made it to the second weekend of the Big Dance since taking UC to the Sweet Sixteen in 2012. When it comes to recruiting, while he has ties to the region, he hasn't proven to be a masterful recruiter. Out of his 18 recruiting classes between Cincy and UCLA, just three of them cracked the top 25, along with eight sub-top 50 finishes including this cycle's class - which comes in at No. 83 with just one signee.

Other Factors: First and foremost, Cronin has the largest (known) buyout out of any coaching candidate, as he's owed a whopping $20 million if his deal is broken before Mar. 30, and $16 million before Mar. 31, 2025. However, there are rumors that his buyout could drop to zero because of a loophole in his contract. While it's likely that Cronin would fit the bill as a coach who Heird *wants* to coach Louisville, he is also incredibly abrasive, especially with the media and especially this past season. If Cronin is hired, he better start winning quick.

Odds of becoming Louisville's next head coach: Moderate to High.

While Scott Drew is Louisville's unquestioned No. 1 target in this coaching search, Cronin is in the small group of candidates behind Drew who are likely going to get a follow-up call if Drew says no. It all depends on what Drew says, as well as the timing of his decision, and if Louisville can actually get out of paying his buyout.

Other Candidates:

• Baylor head coach Scott Drew

(Photo of Mick Cronin: Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports)

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