UCLA basketball agrees to long-term deal with Mick Cronin

UCLA men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin signed a six-year contract extension which keeps him with the Bruins through the 2027-28 season. He has spent three seasons with UCLA after a successful stint at Cincinnati and previously received links to multiple East Coast jobs this year.

Mick Cronin took over as UCLA head coach in 2019 and now signs a deal which is expected to make him the highest paid coach in the Pac-12, as well as a top 15 highest paid coach in the country, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The exact details of the contract remain unknown, and the school will not release the financial numbers today, per Thamel. However, based on previous numbers about Cronin’s salary and the list of highest paid coaches in the country, a significant raise is expected.

Cronin took UCLA to the Final Four last season after entering the NCAA Tournament as one of the First Four teams who played in Dayton, Ohio. He has compiled a 66-29 record over his time with the Bruins and led them to a 25-7 record and a 4-seed this season.

UCLA on Mick Cronin extension

In addition to the announcement in a press release, UCLA provided a statement on Mick Cronin’s long-term contract extension.

“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. “Mick is the right leader for our program because he knows what it means to represent the four letters, he won’t settle for less than being an elite program, and he wins with integrity. He has done a tremendous job of developing young men, and his players respect him.”

In addition, Cronin reaffirmed his commitment to the Bruins ahead of the NCAA Tournament run with a statement on his new deal.

“I believe we have created a culture of success and competitive greatness at UCLA,” Cronin said. “I am totally committed to seeing this process through with the goal of becoming national champions and one of the elite programs in college basketball. I’m grateful for the commitment from UCLA, and in particular to Chancellor Block and Martin Jarmond as they trust me to continue leading this program forward. I look forward to working with all of our constituents as we lead UCLA in this evolving landscape of collegiate sports. We have the best of so many resources and opportunities at UCLA, and it’s my desire to have the best basketball program as well. To our fans and all our students, please know how much I deeply appreciate your support. You have made my last three years so special, and you motivate me to work harder for you every day. Go Bruins.”