Mick Cronin Philosophy

[JackBauer151]

Notes taken from the 2012 Brayden Carr Foundation Coaching Clinic. University of Cincinnati Men's Basketball Coach Mick Cronin spoke on some of his on and off court philosophies for the Bearcats!

Off the Court

Each day his players are being recruited to not listen to him (from outsiders). Accept it and work to counteract that negativity-why wouldn't your players question you when every single person around them already is? His staff spends an inordinate amount of time at UC recruiting their own players. If you're not dealing with this aspect, you're being naive.
The first question in every car in America following a game is, "How many points did you score?"
People, often unintentionally, are trying to tear apart the program they're trying to build at Cincinnati.
He feels that it is important for his players to know his credentials/that he's qualified. The reason he name drops NBA players/coaches is so that his players remember that he knows more than their dad/uncle/handler.
You can go a long ways toward winning the locker room with a well-timed/well-spaced "My bad". For example, in UC's 2 games versus Syracuse, the Orange shredded Cincinnati's man-to-man defense during the first meeting. Prior to the second meeting, he placed the loss on his decision to not play zone.
You can't always blame your players. The answer isn't always beating on them. (It's not about being right, it's about winning!)
His line with his players is that, yes, he is biased. He makes all his decisions based on what benefits Samantha Jean (his 4-year-old daughter) most. In order to benefit her, he needs to win and keep his job. If they're acting against Samantha Jean, they (his players) already know who wins that battle.
Rule at Cincinnati: Caught going to class without a backpack=Entire team runs at 6 AM!
On the Court

Spring/Summer Workouts: All offense (player's time)
Biggest difference between not qualifying for the Big East Tournament in 2007 and GOING to the Big East Championship in 2012:
UC took more free throws, our opponents shot less
UC committed far less turnovers
Sell your players on not losing before talking about winning. These 7 turnovers led to 16 points (Show clips) or these fouls (Show clips) led to "x" number of points.
Example of a Bad Foul: Fouling a guy who does not have the ball-that is inexcusable.
All talent equal, the team that wins the free throw and turnover battle wins out.
What they like getting on offense/what they don't like giving up on defense:
Layups
Free throws
Wide open 3's from best shooters
If you can't do the following three things, no matter how bad he'd like to, he simply cannot put you in the game:
Play defense
Take care of the basketball
Be in the right spot
You have to find a way to win games when you aren't making shots.
What He Learned from Rick Pitino

Let the players believe they're better than they are (on an individual basis). A player that is supremely confident of their abilities will work their tails off to prove they're right.
Prepare what you're going to say after the game BEFORE the game. Do not act on emotion, stuff you say after games because it makes you feel better about the loss can come back and bite you in the rear. Decide what you are going to tell them after a win/after a loss before the game is even played.
Cincinnati's Goals

Makes his players tell his staff what they want to do/where they want go.
Ask them how they plan on getting there and then give them doable and concise instructions (tangible things they can work on).
Most Important: Put it on them constantly, never miss an opportunity to remind the player(s) of those audacious goals they shared with his staff.

http://blog.fastmodelsports.com/fas...n-s-Cincinnati-Bearcats-Basketball-Philosophy

 

[Scheids21]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting and comforting to read.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I enjoyed this.

 

[JasonS]

Mick really has his priorities straight and I think that is why you see the program in the shape it is in. He recruits good kids that work hard and helps to keep them grounded. I enjoyed reading this as well.

 

[UCBearcats]

This basically confirms what I've always thought about Mick. He's a micro manager in every aspect of the game. I'd really like to see our guys play the game a little looser. Basketball is a simple game, no need to make it so complicated.

The problem with micro managers is that when they do get the employee/player they really desire they still micro manage that person. Usually that person is going to resist being micro managed. I think it's better to thoroughly evaluate your personnel and be confident that you selected the right group of people. If your people don't have some freedom they're not going to enjoy what they do.

 

[Scheids21]

They barely run an offense, I think they have their freedom.

 

[JasonS]

This basically confirms what I've always thought about Mick. He's a micro manager in every aspect of the game. I'd really like to see our guys play the game a little looser. Basketball is a simple game, no need to make it so complicated.

The problem with micro managers is that when they do get the employee/player they really desire they still micro manage that person. Usually that person is going to resist being micro managed. I think it's better to thoroughly evaluate your personnel and be confident that you selected the right group of people. If your people don't have some freedom they're not going to enjoy what they do.

Really? Out of all of this the only thing you pulled from it is that Mick is a micro manager? First, show me how you came to that conclusion. Second, all coaches are control freaks. That is different than micro managing.

 

[IDC]

I would guess all the best coaches, at every level, micro manage their team. I'd say that's a prereq for coaching college kids

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

This basically confirms what I've always thought about Mick. He's a micro manager in every aspect of the game. I'd really like to see our guys play the game a little looser. Basketball is a simple game, no need to make it so complicated.

The problem with micro managers is that when they do get the employee/player they really desire they still micro manage that person. Usually that person is going to resist being micro managed. I think it's better to thoroughly evaluate your personnel and be confident that you selected the right group of people. If your people don't have some freedom they're not going to enjoy what they do.

your funny!!! LMAO!!!

 

[TheLongHaul]

Good article.

You knew UCBearcats was going to take the opportunity to criticize. Mick probably is a micro manager, moreso than other college coaches. But that has little to do with this article.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Good article.

You knew UCBearcats was going to take the opportunity to criticize. Mick probably is a micro manager, moreso than other college coaches. But that has little to do with this article.

how would you know Mick micro manages compared to other coaches?

 

[TheLongHaul]

how would you know Mick micro manages compared to other coaches?

By observing? I have no idea for the most part what he does in practice, but IMO he micromanages the game and his players way more so than other coaches. I've said this much many times before. A lot of coaches give their players much more freedom than Mick does....That said, this article doesn't have anything to do with that, which was my point.

 

[JumpinJack5]

I went to a Bob Huggins practice when he was still at UC. I've always wondered how these coaches are when they aren't on TV or have a camera in there face. I can't say anything either way because I've never seen a Mick Cronin practice, but Huggs was exactly as he was painted to be. I'm pretty sure I heard every word in the book, but the players looked unfazed. When you cuss out players so many times, it loses the effect it has on them. It is one area where I think Mick is better than Huggs was. Huggs seemed to have better in-game strategy, and if the players bought into what he was trying to instill in them, he would have a good team.