Mick a Candidate for UNLV?

[Btown Bearcat]

I believe they fly coach to games at UNLV

doubt it they have never even paid a coach more then 700k a year

 

[Btown Bearcat]

I think the town of Las Vegas in general is just way more enticing than Cincinnati, the weather is better. And he owns horses so he likes to gamble. Bang any prostitute he wants

the thing i thought about is he is known to goto all the big boxing matches in vegas like he was in front row for mayweather cotto

 

[BestCoast]

Hey guys. No troll here. Just wanted to give some outside perspective on UNLV and maybe why.. don't have to read. Kinda long.

The comment on we haven't paid a coach over $700k is wrong.

In 2001 we were ready to make Rick Pitino the highest paid coach in CBB at over $2 million. Vitale and Coach K guiding Pitino, calling UNLV a "sleeping giant." His wife didn't like it here. A week later he signs with Louisville.

Lon Kruger was our head coach for 7 seasons until Oklahoma poached him. We were paying him 1.2 mill during a recession that hit Nevada really hard. Kruger led UNLV back to it's first Sweet 16 since Tark. After that the success flamed out. UNLV could "do better." Majority thought Kruger topped out. Needed a change. Oklahoma made an offer he couldn't refuse and UNLV refused to match. Kruger wanted to stay. (He and Jay Wright actually are in talks with our day helping with our search)

We let Kruger go...Look where the guy is now. I thought he left his best UNLV team ever. The one Dave Rice led his first year and beat that unbeatable #1 UNC team.

UNLV went with an upcoming assistant hire. Master of BYU's offense. Former player under Tark. Dave Rice.
We got the Rebel discount. Rice was never a head coach and this was his dream job. We didn't have to pay him.

Before Kruger left he helped get the funding for a major basketball on facility. It's one of the best in the country. Team USA uses it for training and then play exhibitions in our arena which is directly connected.

Dave Rice was able to recruit two top 5 recruiting classes in 3 years (2012, 2014). Beating out many blue bloods for multiple recruits.
UNLV has the facilities to compete with anyone.
Perennial Top 25 attendance and rabid fan base. UNLV is Vegas' pro team.
Las Vegas is home to 2 of the best high school preps in the country.
Findlay Prep and Gorman High School. Multiple 4-5 stars committing to stay in Vegas.
Vegas is AAU basketball capital. National HS and AAU tourneys in our backyard.


The results do not show it. UNLV is a different job now than it was when Kruger left.

Cincy is in a very familiar situation UNLV was in with Kruger.

Kruger rebuilt UNLV. Wanted more. Got stuck with less. MUCH less.

Our school is broke and our conference is as weak as it's ever been. (Outside of SDSU)

We do have strong boosters though. The only thing UNLV does have.
Big Vegas money loves UNLV basketball. "Gucci Row"
The recent recruiting success and lack of results show how bad Rice was as a coach, but also showed how high the ceiling is for UNLV.
Mindset is...if we can recruit with the best of them...we need a coach with the best of them. Get back to the glory days.

Is money there? Most ask...even Vegas fans.
We have a couple newspaper guys who have been adamant about how much UNLV is willing to go. Nothing official as they don't want to out sources.
Well north of 2 million is already "there" supposedly.

As much money as they are questioning why we are even going so hard at Mick Cronin and not a bigger name.


I've been a fan of what Cronin has done there. When I thought of Cincy I thought of tough. Especially after watching Kilpatrick and Wright beat up Iowa St and Oregon in our arena in a little tourney.

I think Cincy would be foolish to let Cronin go. You want better and I understand that, but as UNLV learned with Kruger...the grass isn't always greener.

Cronin would do well at UNLV. It would be a step down right now, but the ceiling at UNLV can't be denied. There would be no turn around either if he can retain our players. We have a lot of talent waiting to see who's coming in.


If Cronin does bolt, I hope you guys land a solid coach. Everyone not receiving that Power 5 football money is at a huge disadvantage..even for basketball.

Once again not trolling or wanting to debate or trying to convince how UNLV is so damn great (cause right now, it's not)... Just throwing some info your way.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Hey guys. No troll here. Just wanted to give some outside perspective on UNLV and maybe why.. don't have to read. Kinda long.

The comment on we haven't paid a coach over $700k is wrong.

In 2001 we were ready to make Rick Pitino the highest paid coach in CBB at over $2 million. Vitale and Coach K guiding Pitino, calling UNLV a "sleeping giant." His wife didn't like it here. A week later he signs with Louisville.

Lon Kruger was our head coach for 7 seasons until Oklahoma poached him. We were paying him 1.2 mill during a recession that hit Nevada really hard. Kruger led UNLV back to it's first Sweet 16 since Tark. After that the success flamed out. UNLV could "do better." Majority thought Kruger topped out. Needed a change. Oklahoma made an offer he couldn't refuse and UNLV refused to match. Kruger wanted to stay. (He and Jay Wright actually are in talks with our day helping with our search)

We let Kruger go...Look where the guy is now. I thought he left his best UNLV team ever. The one Dave Rice led his first year and beat that unbeatable #1 UNC team.

UNLV went with an upcoming assistant hire. Master of BYU's offense. Former player under Tark. Dave Rice.
We got the Rebel discount. Rice was never a head coach and this was his dream job. We didn't have to pay him.

Before Kruger left he helped get the funding for a major basketball on facility. It's one of the best in the country. Team USA uses it for training and then play exhibitions in our arena which is directly connected.

Dave Rice was able to recruit two top 5 recruiting classes in 3 years (2012, 2014). Beating out many blue bloods for multiple recruits.
UNLV has the facilities to compete with anyone.
Perennial Top 25 attendance and rabid fan base. UNLV is Vegas' pro team.
Las Vegas is home to 2 of the best high school preps in the country.
Findlay Prep and Gorman High School. Multiple 4-5 stars committing to stay in Vegas.
Vegas is AAU basketball capital. National HS and AAU tourneys in our backyard.


The results do not show it. UNLV is a different job now than it was when Kruger left.

Cincy is in a very familiar situation UNLV was in with Kruger.

Kruger rebuilt UNLV. Wanted more. Got stuck with less. MUCH less.

Our school is broke and our conference is as weak as it's ever been. (Outside of SDSU)

We do have strong boosters though. The only thing UNLV does have.
Big Vegas money loves UNLV basketball. "Gucci Row"
The recent recruiting success and lack of results show how bad Rice was as a coach, but also showed how high the ceiling is for UNLV.
Mindset is...if we can recruit with the best of them...we need a coach with the best of them. Get back to the glory days.

Is money there? Most ask...even Vegas fans.
We have a couple newspaper guys who have been adamant about how much UNLV is willing to go. Nothing official as they don't want to out sources.
Well north of 2 million is already "there" supposedly.

As much money as they are questioning why we are even going so hard at Mick Cronin and not a bigger name.


I've been a fan of what Cronin has done there. When I thought of Cincy I thought of tough. Especially after watching Kilpatrick and Wright beat up Iowa St and Oregon in our arena in a little tourney.

I think Cincy would be foolish to let Cronin go. You want better and I understand that, but as UNLV learned with Kruger...the grass isn't always greener.

Cronin would do well at UNLV. It would be a step down right now, but the ceiling at UNLV can't be denied. There would be no turn around either if he can retain our players. We have a lot of talent waiting to see who's coming in.


If Cronin does bolt, I hope you guys land a solid coach. Everyone not receiving that Power 5 football money is at a huge disadvantage..even for basketball.

Once again not trolling or wanting to debate or trying to convince how UNLV is so damn great (cause right now, it's not)... Just throwing some info your way.

Thanks for sharing. If I'm Mick I'm running to join the rebels. I've been going to Vegas since the mid 70's. My best friend and godparents to my 4 children have lived there for 40 tears. Just spent a week there at the Red Rock. Always followed the running rebels when I lived out west. I can confirm that the town loves them. Tark was a beloved figure in the city. The facilities are way better then what we have here. Mick would do very well there. I would love for him to take the job. Give me a reason to come out more often. He has been treated like dirt by a large segment of the fan base here and I honestly can see why he would consider leaving. All after rebuilding a dumpster fire in his home town. He deserves better from his own. Roll out the red carpet for him you'll love what he brings to the table.

 

[UCalum08]

Last thing I am going to say tonight before going to bed is this: it is my opinion, that if Mick leaves, UC fans should be very concerned about the investment in the program by the AD and university. I don't believe this posturing has anything to do with Mick's salary. It's about recruiting disadvantages such as no plane, poor facilities, unfulfilled promises by the AD. UNLV has better facilities and if they are willing to pony up for some of those recruiting advantages, it could be enticing to a coach.

If he does leave, it's 100% on the Ad. Pres, and other top board members. They have basically ignored the bball program for over a decade.

As a fan and a supporter of this program I always demand for better. If they let this go, I'm growing tired of UC's lack of compentence.

What pisses me off more is you don't hear a word over at Xavier. How is no one wanting to poach Mack and Mack isn't trying to run away.

It's all just very frustrating. Year after year, it's the same old ****.

 

[UCBearcats]

This is pretty spot on.

I think Mick is tired of the administration not fulfilling their promises. Bohn has been focusing on football. UNLV football is awful and I would assume UNLV cares more about their basketball program. UC has done little to give Mick what he feels is enough to recruit better. Yes, overall our facilities are solid but the arena is a joke and outdated. If Mick feels slighted by the administration again it might have been the last straw. UNLV offers him $2 million and better accommodations for recruiting and Mick could be gone.

Mick isn't forcing the University's hand on any of these issues. When Brian Kelly has UC as as top 25 program going to BCS Bowl games and selling out Nippert every single week he got a practice bubble.

You guys act like the university has given nothing to Mick. He makes 2.2 million per year and he gets the chance to coach at what he's said multiple times was his dream job. Not to mention the Univeristy is trying everything it can to get him a new arena. If Mick's program lacks the booster support to get it done then that says a lot more about Mick than it does the University. He hasn't raised the bar or earned any of the things mentioned above. Attendance decreases year over year, we rarely sell out games, we are rarely ranked or on the national radar screen and we don't compete for championships.

If Mick was doing all those things he'd have everything he wants. The bottom line is he's not and he hasn't even been able to galvanize his fanbase. Why the hell would the Univerity feel obligated to give him anything more than they already have??

 

[JasonS]

If he does leave, it's 100% on the Ad. Pres, and other top board members. They have basically ignored the bball program for over a decade.

As a fan and a supporter of this program I always demand for better. If they let this go, I'm growing tired of UC's lack of compentence.

What pisses me off more is you don't hear a word over at Xavier. How is no one wanting to poach Mack and Mack isn't trying to run away.

It's all just very frustrating. Year after year, it's the same old ****.

Well, the whole thing about Mack isn't true. There is a program out there that could have him. I'm not going to start rumors about it here but Xavier isn't immune to this either. The difference is they have a newer arena and no football to take priority.

 

[JasonS]

Mick isn't forcing the University's hand on any of these issues. When Brian Kelly has UC as as top 25 program going to BCS Bowl games and selling out Nippert every single week he got a practice bubble.

You guys act like the university has given nothing to Mick. He makes 2.2 million per year and he gets the chance to coach at what he's said multiple times was his dream job. Not to mention the Univeristy is trying everything it can to get him a new arena. If Mick's program lacks the booster support to get it done then that says a lot more about Mick than it does the University. He hasn't raised the bar or earned any of the things mentioned above. Attendance decreases year over year, we rarely sell out games, we are rarely ranked or on the national radar screen and we don't compete for championships.

If Mick was doing all those things he'd have everything he wants. The bottom line is he's not and he hasn't even been able to galvanize his fanbase. Why the hell would the Univerity feel obligated to give him anything more than they already have??

This is the chicken or the egg argument. You would say he hasn't done enough to raise the level beyond what it is now. I would say he hasn't had what is needed to do that and that no coach would be able to (outside HOFers like K, etc and they aren't coming here). There is no convincing the other side of the argument.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

If he does leave, it's 100% on the Ad. Pres, and other top board members. They have basically ignored the bball program for over a decade.

As a fan and a supporter of this program I always demand for better. If they let this go, I'm growing tired of UC's lack of compentence.

What pisses me off more is you don't hear a word over at Xavier. How is no one wanting to poach Mack and Mack isn't trying to run away.

It's all just very frustrating. Year after year, it's the same old ****.

Actually Brother I hope he leaves. Think it would be best for him. He is a alum and a hometown guy who has been treated horribly since day 1 by a large faction of this fan base. His alum brothers no less. He deserves better. There is a group in this town that won't let go of the Huggins days and have never nor will except Mick. After 10 years I don't think that is changing. He works to hard to be put in that position. I think it would be in his best interest to move on. As someone who was born and raised here but lived a good portion of there life away Cincinnati would always be home to him but its a bad fit.

 

[Cin City]

Call me naïve, call me an idiot when it comes to business, but what about the team? MC's guys. How do you walk away from a Senior Caupain? Johnson? The young guys like Clark and Evans who will carry the torch in 2 seasons?

I do not have a gd'd clue as to what is going on or what will happen, but I can't fathom walking away from your seniors. It just bothers me. I hope this is resolved sooner than later and I hope that MC is the head coach at the University of Cincinnati when this is said and done. That is how I feel and I am not trying to spark a lecture from anyone on why I should feel differently, because I don't.

Maybe for once it would be something if we could put our agendas and distastes aside and cheer for the primary root of this board....The University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Players AND coaches.

Maybe wishful thinking but I'm on board.

 

[JasonS]

Call me naïve, call me an idiot when it comes to business, but what about the team? MC's guys. How do you walk away from a Senior Caupain? Johnson? The young guys like Clark and Evans who will carry the torch in 2 seasons?

I do not have a gd'd clue as to what is going on or what will happen, but I can't fathom walking away from your seniors. It just bothers me. I hope this is resolved sooner than later and I hope that MC is the head coach at the University of Cincinnati when this is said and done. That is how I feel and I am not trying to spark a lecture from anyone on why I should feel differently, because I don't.

Maybe for once it would be something if we could put our agendas and distastes aside and cheer for the primary root of this board....The University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Players AND coaches.

Maybe wishful thinking but I'm on board.

I'm with you there. Throw in Kyle Washington who transferred, gave up a year and just wants to become a better basketball player. If it were me, I couldn't leave the players.

While I'm not as steadfast as I was before, I still think Mick stays and that this is a power play to get what he needs for facilities, etc. If that is accurate, and he stays, all UC fans should be appreciative because those things will help UC get where we all hope and think it can: to a National title contender level.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Call me naïve, call me an idiot when it comes to business, but what about the team? MC's guys. How do you walk away from a Senior Caupain? Johnson? The young guys like Clark and Evans who will carry the torch in 2 seasons?

I do not have a gd'd clue as to what is going on or what will happen, but I can't fathom walking away from your seniors. It just bothers me. I hope this is resolved sooner than later and I hope that MC is the head coach at the University of Cincinnati when this is said and done. That is how I feel and I am not trying to spark a lecture from anyone on why I should feel differently, because I don't.

Maybe for once it would be something if we could put our agendas and distastes aside and cheer for the primary root of this board....The University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Players AND coaches.

Maybe wishful thinking but I'm on board.

Understand your point about the seniors but there will always be seniors. To me this is very obvious, Mick was made certain promises concerning the program that have not been met. He is now fighting for all of us who love the basketball cats. In order for this program to grow certain improvements have to be met. Anybody with a knowledge of College sports understands this. He is fighting for the team and the fans.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I'm with you there. Throw in Kyle Washington who transferred, gave up a year and just wants to become a better basketball player. If it were me, I couldn't leave the players.

While I'm not as steadfast as I was before, I still think Mick stays and that this is a power play to get what he needs for facilities, etc. If that is accurate, and he stays, all UC fans should be appreciative because those things will help UC get where we all hope and think it can: to a National title contender level.

Jason a long as he coaches this situation will always be present. There will always be seniors or jrs or soph or freshman. Mick is and has been operating with one hand tied behind his back. Its time for the admin to put up or shut up.

 

[Cin City]

Understand your point about the seniors but there will always be seniors. To me this is very obvious, Mick was made certain promises concerning the program that have not been met. He is now fighting for all of us who love the basketball cats. In order for this program to grow certain improvements have to be met. Anybody with a knowledge of College sports understands this. He is fighting for the team and the fans.

And in turn, we fans fight among ourselves.

At what point can the majority be heard in a positive way? Why is the negative few the loudest cries being taken seriously?

 

[UCalum08]

Jason a long as he coaches this situation will always be present. There will always be seniors or jrs or soph or freshman. Mick is and has been operating with one hand tied behind his back. Its time for the admin to put up or shut up.

Waite, that is what I agree with you about the admin.
To your previous comment about a group of fanbase who won't let go etc, I don't think that effects Mick one bit. There's always going to be a group of fans who don't like you or never satisfied etc.
I think it's soley on the admin and there pure neglect of the bball program as a whole. Besides Mick's salary, he is limited to a lot of bball operations that successful programs have. It's been over a decade since bball has been a priority.

 

[JasonS]

Waite, that is what I agree with you about the admin.
To your previous comment about a group of fanbase who won't let go etc, I don't think that effects Mick one bit. There's always going to be a group of fans who don't like you or never satisfied etc.
I think it's soley on the admin and there pure neglect of the bball program as a whole. Besides Mick's salary, he is limited to a lot of bball operations that successful programs have. It's been over a decade since bball has been a priority.

I disagree with the bolded statement. Read Mo Egger's blog post today/last night. He does a nice job of summarizing what many of us, myself included, think about the situation. I agree that there will always be people that don't like you. I think there is a small, vocal faction here that Mick never had a chance with and that's not fair. Criticize his teams' playing style or that players haven't progressed the way you wanted them to. That stuff is all fair game. We won't all agree on everything but those are solid conversations. That's not what this is about for some people though.

 

[TheRealUC]

And in turn, we fans fight among ourselves.

At what point can the majority be heard in a positive way? Why is the negative few the loudest cries being taken seriously?

Good point. The sad thing is if it's L-T's booster buddies that are the loudest and the richest, those douche bags are going to be heard more than others. After reading more cincinnati based reporting since this came out, it's painfully obvious that this guy has been treated pretty poorly since day 1 by the local fan base. You'll never convince me that he was given a fair shot. I'm not saying it would have been easy if I was a cincy native after huggs left, but the blind disapproval is mind boggling.

And L-T, i can assure you that in new england Mick is known and well respected from the basketball fans here.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Waite, that is what I agree with you about the admin.
To your previous comment about a group of fanbase who won't let go etc, I don't think that effects Mick one bit. There's always going to be a group of fans who don't like you or never satisfied etc.
I think it's soley on the admin and there pure neglect of the bball program as a whole. Besides Mick's salary, he is limited to a lot of bball operations that successful programs have. It's been over a decade since bball has been a priority.

Generally those fans are pushed aside or drowned out. Hsn't happened here. I go back to the Cincy.com days fans commented about his divorce. This is a hometown guy who is a alum!!! He as been treated like dirt by his own. And not just a few I might add. I have heard media types comment that other coaches have been completely mystified by the treatment he gets from his hometown for the job he's done.

 

[TANEYTOWN]

Oh it's out there by coaches and media about how Mick has been treated.

 

[Doogle]

The bigger question, should Mick decide to leave is: do you really trust Mike Bohn to make a good hire? What about his resume' suggests to you that he will make a good one?

You've got a good coach, a freaking ALUM with deep roots in Cincinnati, and he's potentially looking at a job in Las Vegas at what sounds like at least a 50% pay cut. If you think that's a reflection of Mick's character, you're not looking at the entire picture.