UC Athletics Gives Cronin Two-Year Extension
Men's Basketball coach's contract extended through 2014
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees approved the two-year contract extension for head men's basketball coach Mick Cronin at its scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, Director of Athletics Mike Thomas announced. This is the first extension for Cronin, who was hired on March 23, 2006, to a six-year contract.
"Under Coach Cronin's leadership the past three years, the men's basketball program has improved on the court and in the classroom," said Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. "I look forward to the continued development of the program to once again attain national prominence and compete for BIG EAST championships on an annual basis."
After rebuilding the program since taking over in 2006, Cronin looks to capitalize on the momentum from last year's winning season (18-14) as he begins his fourth year at the University of Cincinnati. For the first time since Cronin has been the head coach at UC, he has a senior leader on the floor with three years of experience - all-BIG EAST guard Deonta Vaughn, who averaged 15.3 ppg and 4.7 apg in 2008-09. Vaughn's leadership, coupled with seven returning letterwinners, including BIG EAST All-Rookie honoree Yancy Gates (10.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and a talented recruiting class gives Cincinnati its most experienced team since Cronin's arrival.
An exciting and talented group of newcomers brings excitement to the program, headlined by McDonald's High School All-American Lance Stephenson. Freshmen Sean Kilpatrick, Jaquon Parker, and Alex Eppensteiner complete Cronin's highly-touted recruiting class and redshirt freshman Cashmere Wright, and junior transfers Eddie Tyree and Ibrahima Thomas will don the Red and Black for the first time after missing last season due to injury and NCAA transfer rules.
"I am honored to be the head basketball coach at the University of Cincinnati and plan on being here for a very long time," said Cronin. "The University of Cincinnati is my alma mater and this is my hometown, so I look forward to the continuing rebuilding of our program and leading it back to national prominence.
"We have made great progress in a short period of time, both on and off the floor," continued Cronin. We have taken no shortcuts and dealt with some tough setbacks, while continuing our improvement. I am very excited about our upcoming season and returning nucleus of players, along with five first-year Bearcats. We are looking forward to a great season and our team is working extremely hard to improve this summer.
"I want to thank all the Bearcat fans and the people of Cincinnati who have been so supportive while we have rebuilt our program from scratch. The support of our boosters in UCATS, our former players, alumni, and fans are imperative to our success and we appreciate their loyalty and love for Bearcats basketball."
