The UCLA Bruins, after reaching the Final Four last season for the first time in more than a decade, have signed men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin to a new six-year contract through the 2027 season. -28, it was announced on Thursday.
The school hasn’t released financial terms, but Cronin, who was making $3.7 million a year under his old contract, is expected to be the highest-paid coach in the Pac-12 and among the top 15 in the nation.
This new deal, likely in the same quarter as top-of-the-line Big Ten and ACC coaching salaries, should boost his pay – as he has sparked interest in several coaching vacancies this season, including opening in Louisville.
Cronin went 66-29 in three seasons at Westwood, reaching both NCAA tournaments held in that time. No. 4 seed UCLA (25-7) takes on No. 13 seed Akron on Thursday night.
“Mick Cronin is one of the best coaches in the country, and this deal signifies our commitment to keeping him at UCLA and competing for national championships,” athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement.
“Mick is the right leader for our program because he knows what it means to represent the four letters, he won’t settle for anything less than being an elite program and he wins with integrity. He has done a tremendous job developing the young men, and his players respect him.”
The deal signifies a strong commitment from both sides, as Cronin has attracted interest from several job postings over the past cycle. The six-year deal and increased pay should calm potential suitors in the immediate future and pave the way for Cronin to be at UCLA for a meaningful time.
“I believe we have created a culture of success and competitive greatness at UCLA,” Cronin said in a statement. “I am totally committed to completing this process with the goal of becoming national champions and one of college basketball’s elite programs.”
UCLA finished second in the Pac-12 with a 15-5 conference record during the regular season, and the Bruins lost to Arizona in the Pac-12 tournament.
Cronin, 50, has averaged 25.1 wins a year over the past 12 seasons, which includes his successful stint in Cincinnati. Overall, he is 431-200 in 19 combined seasons at Murray State, Cincinnati and UCLA.
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