Roots keep Mick Cronin at UC, Chris Mack at Xavier
Bill Koch, April 17, 2014


Xavier coach Chris Mack, left, and Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin.(Photo: Enquirer file)

Truth be told, Chris Mack was more of a University of Cincinnati basketball fan than a Xavier fan as a kid growing up in North College Hill. It wasn't until he went to a Bob Staak basketball camp at Xavier at the age of 12 that he switched his allegiance to the Musketeers.

For Mick Cronin, there has never been any question about where he stood. He has been an avid UC fan his whole life.

The two are on opposite sides of the local college basketball culture wars now, with Mack having just finished his fifth year as the head coach at XU and Cronin having completed his eighth season as UC's head coach.

It's an unusual situation, with two successful major programs in one city coached by local products who not only grew up in Cincinnati, but coach at their alma maters. And it follows in the tradition of many Cincinnatians, who cling doggedly to their hometown connection.

There's no guarantee that one or both of them won't leave one day for another job, but for now both appear committed to staying at their hometown schools.

"When it comes to my status at Cincinnati, I have the same answer," Cronin said last week at the UC basketball banquet. "It's a tremendous honor for me to be the coach, the professional honor of my lifetime, to be the coach at Cincinnati. I'll sign on for as many years that are put in front of me."

"Home is where the heart is," said Mack, who played at XU in 1992 and 1993 after transferring from Evansville. "I have a love for Xavier. When you put on the uniform, you've been through so many good times and have so many memories, you know so many of the people that have been influential in your life up to now. It's very unique."

Mack rejected overtures last week about the head coaching job at California. Cronin has fielded inquiries in recent years from North Carolina State, Virginia Tech and Nebraska, among others. Both coaches are routinely mentioned whenever a high-profile coaching job becomes vacant, with Mack's naming popping up this week in potential candidates for the Tennessee job.

But so far no school has been able to pry either of them away from Cincinnati.

"I make no secret about where I'd love to be," Cronin said, "but I also have some dreams for our program, some facility upgrades and some focus shifting from our administration on doing things for the men's basketball program which in turn will generate revenue for our entire department allowing us to compete with what's going on around us."

Cronin, 42, grew up in Groesbeck and graduated from La Salle High School. He did not play for the Bearcats but graduated from UC. He started his college coaching career as a video coordinator for Bob Huggins at UC, moving up to assistant coach and associate coach before leaving in 2001 to become the associate head coach at Louisville.

His first head coaching job was at Murray State, where he stayed for three years before returning to his alma mater in 2006 to take over what was then a decimated UC program. In eight years, he has gone 162-107, making him the second-winningest coach in school history behind Huggins. His teams have made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2012.

Cronin's father, Hep, was a long-time successful high school coach in Cincinnati and travels to most of UC's road games with the team. Cronin also has a 7-year-old daughter, Samantha, with whom he lives in Anderson Township.

"I'm very lucky to be home," Cronin said. "Most coaches are away from their family and friends."

Mack, a St. Xavier High School graduate, was born in Cleveland, but says the only memories he has are in Cincinnati. He and his wife, Christi, live in Crestview Hills, Ky., with their daughters - Hailee, 7, and Lainee, 8. His parents live in Finneytown, the same house he lived in while he was in college after he grew up in North College Hill.

"My wife always makes fun of me because we'll go to my parents' house for Sunday dinner," Mack said. "I'll have my two girls in the car and I'll say let's go by daddy's house that he grew up in. I just have so many memories, like fishing with my buddies.

"It's a blessing, something that's very special," Mack said of coaching in his hometown. "There's also a curse to it. Whether it's ticket requests or speaking requests. You can't do everything. Sometimes when you turn people down they're your friends. They're not faceless people."

Mack, 44, began his coaching career as the director of basketball operations at XU under Skip Prosser, spent three seasons as an assistant coach under Prosser at Wake Forest, then returned to XU in 2004 and spent five seasons as an assistant under Sean Miller. When Miller left to become the head coach at Arizona in 2009, Mack was hired as his replacement.

He's 111-57 at XU and ranks fourth in wins among all Musketeer head coaches. His teams have made four NCAA Tournament appearances in five years with two Sweet 16 appearances.

Cronin and Mack, competitors now in one of the nation's most intriguing rivalries, still share and remain very proud of their Cincinnati roots.

"I never think of myself as a guy who has to sell our program in a car salesman type of way," Mack said. "I have an understanding of Xavier and I love the city of Cincinnati. I'm a Bengals fan. I'm a Reds fan. I lived on the West Side. I lived on the East Side. I have my immediate family here and Christi's is 90 minutes away. There's an entrenchment that goes beyond me."

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c...n/7833123/

But people are still going to question whether Cronin will leave for Tennessee

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(04-17-2014 08:14 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  But people are still going to question whether Cronin will leave for Tennessee

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I have no idea what people would question that move. It is just senseless.

It's more likely Mick will stay than Mack. For both coaches, the brawl was a turning point. Mick won the admiration of national media and the support of many UC fans who had previously questioned his resolve by his handling of the postgame fallout. Mack, perhaps unknowingly, compounded the problems for X. My sense is that many on Victory Parkway are still filled with rancor over that whole episode which cast their program in a negative light. Of course if Mack takes them to the Elite Eight next year all will be forgiven. But I wouldn't bet on that happening. To me, they've had good talent the past two years and have really underachieved, missing the NCAA in 2013 and slipping in for 2014 to the first four.

At this point, the AAC is providing a competitive advantage for Mick. Membership is changing but playing in a league with the last two national champions and high visibility on ESPN will be more attractive to recruits than the new Big East. The AAC is quietly assembling an impressive stable of big name coaches for basketball and will produce numerous ranked teams. Outside of the P5 it appears to be head and shoulders above the rest of the G5, at least for hoops.

(04-18-2014 07:31 AM)indycat Wrote:  It's more likely Mick will stay than Mack. For both coaches, the brawl was a turning point. Mick won the admiration of national media and the support of many UC fans who had previously questioned his resolve by his handling of the postgame fallout. Mack, perhaps unknowingly, compounded the problems for X. My sense is that many on Victory Parkway are still filled with rancor over that whole episode which cast their program in a negative light. Of course if Mack takes them to the Elite Eight next year all will be forgiven. But I wouldn't bet on that happening. To me, they've had good talent the past two years and have really underachieved, missing the NCAA in 2013 and slipping in for 2014 to the first four.

I hate defending X but considering they unexpectedly lost Lyons and Wells they ovetachieved last year and this year made the tournament despite not being predicted to preseason.

I do not think he gets along with his administration but I think it's more him being unhappy than the administration not being happy with him. I think he will leave when a good opportunity comes along.

Mick and Mack,

Sounds like a couple of statues on campus.

(04-18-2014 09:12 AM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 07:31 AM)indycat Wrote:  It's more likely Mick will stay than Mack. For both coaches, the brawl was a turning point. Mick won the admiration of national media and the support of many UC fans who had previously questioned his resolve by his handling of the postgame fallout. Mack, perhaps unknowingly, compounded the problems for X. My sense is that many on Victory Parkway are still filled with rancor over that whole episode which cast their program in a negative light. Of course if Mack takes them to the Elite Eight next year all will be forgiven. But I wouldn't bet on that happening. To me, they've had good talent the past two years and have really underachieved, missing the NCAA in 2013 and slipping in for 2014 to the first four.

I hate defending X but considering they unexpectedly lost Lyons and Wells they ovetachieved last year and this year made the tournament despite not being predicted to preseason.

I do not think he gets along with his administration but I think it's more him being unhappy than the administration not being happy with him. I think he will leave when a good opportunity comes along.

They did not unexpectedly lose Lyons. He was told to move on.

And I am still waiting to see how much Wells makes from his lawsuit against X.

Latest I've seen on the premium TN sites is Mick and Mack are both high up on the list. Mack apparently has expressed mutual interest in the job. Again I know that doesn't mean a whole lot but that is what they are reporting. They aren't sure the admin will be willing to pay enough to get Mick considering what he makes now at UC after all his incentives. (I'm assuming Mick makes more than Mack?).

Lyons was told to leave after the season when he was flirting with Arizona and Miller told Mack about it. My point was that was supposed to be his senior season and they would have planned for him to be the focal point of the team.

I'm not sure if Mick makes more than Mack but I am sure it would take a hell of a lot more money to get his attention due to their different family situations.

(04-18-2014 09:55 AM)Marcus Wrote:  Latest I've seen on the premium TN sites is Mick and Mack are both high up on the list. Mack apparently has expressed mutual interest in the job. Again I know that doesn't mean a whole lot but that is what they are reporting. They aren't sure the admin will be willing to pay enough to get Mick considering what he makes now at UC after all his incentives. (I'm assuming Mick makes more than Mack?).

Yes, per this recent database of tourney head coaches. Mick also makes more than TN paid Martin along with a higher max bonus. I'll leave it to others to pull the numbers if they want...

(04-18-2014 11:29 AM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 09:55 AM)Marcus Wrote:  Latest I've seen on the premium TN sites is Mick and Mack are both high up on the list. Mack apparently has expressed mutual interest in the job. Again I know that doesn't mean a whole lot but that is what they are reporting. They aren't sure the admin will be willing to pay enough to get Mick considering what he makes now at UC after all his incentives. (I'm assuming Mick makes more than Mack?).

Yes, per this recent database of tourney head coaches. Mick also makes more than TN paid Martin along with a higher max bonus. I'll leave it to others to pull the numbers if they want...

Thanks. It sounds like TN is willing to pay around $2 mill, which I think would rule Mick out. I could see Mack being interested. It would make a lot more sense than Cal did. It's relatively close to Cincy, a huge upgrade in budget and facilities from what he has at Xavier and an easier administration to deal with.

(04-18-2014 12:43 PM)Marcus Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 11:29 AM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 09:55 AM)Marcus Wrote:  Latest I've seen on the premium TN sites is Mick and Mack are both high up on the list. Mack apparently has expressed mutual interest in the job. Again I know that doesn't mean a whole lot but that is what they are reporting. They aren't sure the admin will be willing to pay enough to get Mick considering what he makes now at UC after all his incentives. (I'm assuming Mick makes more than Mack?).

Yes, per this recent database of tourney head coaches. Mick also makes more than TN paid Martin along with a higher max bonus. I'll leave it to others to pull the numbers if they want...

Thanks. It sounds like TN is willing to pay around $2 mill, which I think would rule Mick out. I could see Mack being interested. It would make a lot more sense than Cal did. It's relatively close to Cincy, a huge upgrade in budget and facilities from what he has at Xavier and an easier administration to deal with.

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought Mick has not signed his new contract yet.

(04-18-2014 01:34 PM)Flying Bearcat Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 12:43 PM)Marcus Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 11:29 AM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

(04-18-2014 09:55 AM)Marcus Wrote:  Latest I've seen on the premium TN sites is Mick and Mack are both high up on the list. Mack apparently has expressed mutual interest in the job. Again I know that doesn't mean a whole lot but that is what they are reporting. They aren't sure the admin will be willing to pay enough to get Mick considering what he makes now at UC after all his incentives. (I'm assuming Mick makes more than Mack?).

Yes, per this recent database of tourney head coaches. Mick also makes more than TN paid Martin along with a higher max bonus. I'll leave it to others to pull the numbers if they want...

Thanks. It sounds like TN is willing to pay around $2 mill, which I think would rule Mick out. I could see Mack being interested. It would make a lot more sense than Cal did. It's relatively close to Cincy, a huge upgrade in budget and facilities from what he has at Xavier and an easier administration to deal with.

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought Mick has not signed his new contract yet.

You are probably right, I have no idea. Bottom line IMO is that is seems like Mick wants the long overdue facility upgrades more than anything else and the University continues to string him along with that because they feel like they have nothing to worry about in terms of him jumping ship (which would be extremely naive on the University's part).

(04-18-2014 01:50 PM)Marcus Wrote:  .... Bottom line IMO is that is seems like Mick wants the long overdue facility upgrades more than anything else and the University continues to string him along with that because they feel like they have nothing to worry about in terms of him jumping ship (which would be extremely naive on the University's part).

And you know this as fact how?