UCLA's Bizarre 4 Month Coaching Search Results In Hiring Mick Cronin, Because They Hate Their Fans

Reags4/09/2019 5:00 PM

Well after a complete dumpster fire of a 4 month coaching search. Seriously it went from trying to go all in on John Calipari, to him receiving a lifetime deal from Kentucky. Then it was fighting about whether or not they should hire someone like Earl Watson. Then it was names like Randy Bennett. Then came the Jamie Dixon portion where they couldn’t pay his $8 million buyout. Then came Rick Barnes who ‘slept on the offer’ only to turn it into more money from Tennessee.

Just a complete and utter shit show.

So they hired Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin. A fine coach, sure. But, let’s discuss this UCLA job. Part of the battle is selling the program. You’re never going to be the biggest show in town. You’re more like the 5th show in town. You needed to find someone who can not only sell the program but win. I have no doubts that Cronin can be successful on the court, but dealing with the boosters and everything is where I have doubts.

All I know is first thing Mick needs to do is get on campus and immediately call out the team. Light a fire under their ass and challenge Chip Kelly:

If that doesn’t work he has to go after a ref:

Here’s the thing. UCLA fans are going to be fairly upset about this hire because of Cronin’s lack of success in March. He’s gotten out of the first weekend just one time. That’s where it gets tough for him/UCLA to sell this. You fired Alford because of similar results – though Cronin has had more success in the regular season and more consistent success. You’re bringing in a guy from the midwest again with no ties to the LA area.

This is going to be key. He needs to fill out his staff smartly. He needs to bring in LA/UCLA guys. It’s way too big of an area not to have a connection there.

If the plan was to turn this back into a blue blood and really sell the program it made sense to go after guys like Calipari. But, why not try to go after Chris Beard? Assuming the fear of getting told no again.

There is one thing for sure though. UCLA just climbed up the rankings in intense/ready to fight coaches