Mick's Call For Help

[JasonS]

What gets lost in all this is that the overwhelming majority of us all want the same thing right now. Mick Cronin as the head coach next year (and into the future) and the basketball budget increased. It's how we get there that is going to cause debate.

Yup. And unfortunately this is just going to be more ammo for the unwavering anti-Mick crowd which is a shame.

This is from P-Doc's blog on Cincinnati.com. Not sure if this was posted or not yet.

MICK MAKES A POINT. No time like the present, especially when the present includes a win in the Madness. Cronin wants upgrades to UC basketball. He has been hinting at same for a few weeks. Yesterday, he just came out and said it. A few observations:

1. 5/3 Arena is a lousy place to watch a game, unless you’re in the lower level. I dont know what they do about that, beyond putting backs on the bleachers upstairs. The sight lines up there are crummy, the lighting makes you feel as if you’re watching from the next room.

2. I dunno, but I’m guessing one thing Mick would like to have is more access to a private plane, for recruiting. Chris Mack gets one almost every time he needs it. It allows him to conduct practice, go to a recruit’s game, then back home, all in the same night. Big edge there, especially when BE guys like Pitino have a similar situation.

3. Cronin wants better practice facilities. That shouldnt be hard to do, or especially expensive. But isn’t a basketball floor a basketball floor? Beyond impressing recruits with the lavishness of your place, what purpose does it serve? UC already has a weight room the equal of the Bengals.

Compared to football, upgrading facilities should be less of a challenge.Fixing 5/3, though, that’s big bucks. But the place is 22 years old and due for a makeover. The problem is, UC is broke. Not literally, but you get my drift. A sugar daddy needs to ride to the rescue. If C. Mack gets a plane courtesy of Cintas, I believe, can’t some fat UC booster/alum do the same for Mick?

The #s re spending on basketball are startling: According to B. Koch’s story in the Traditional Media this AM, only South Fla. spends less than UC on men’s hoops in the BE. In 2009, UC had revenues of $4.927 million; Louisville was at $25.89 million.

What?

I guess some of that is suite money at the Yum! Center. But still. How are the Bearcats supposed to run in that race?

This has always been an issue at UC: While everyone applauded UC’s entrance into the Big East, no one anticipated the dollars required to be relevant in the Big East. Especially in basketball, against schools that don’t have to spend millions on a football team. BK’s charm and winning got football some of what he said it needed. Mick’s not in BK’s league. That doesnt make his wants any less valid.

Stay tuned.
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/daugherty/

 

[Amberlycolonel]

I cannot remember at any time in our university's history where ever single issue in regards to the program has been fought in the public's eye. The trend is highly unattractive and only spews negativity along with misconceptions. Cronin does not command an army of fans and the university's athletic department has yet to achieve the respectibility it needs to sway public opinion one way or the other. Issues need to be dealt with behind closed doors between lawyers and agents. Keep the fans out of it. I, for one, am tired of the constant whining. Cronin is not alone in this. Kelly did his share as well. But Kelly had an extremely large, very strong following. Cronin, at this point, does not outside of these types of forums. Enough already.

 

[Who Dey Time]

I cannot remember at any time in our university's history where ever single issue in regards to the program has been fought in the public's eye. The trend is highly unattractive and only spews negativity along with misconceptions. Cronin does not command an army of fans and the university's athletic department has yet to achieve the respectibility to sway public opinion one way or the other. Issues need to be dealt with behind closed doors between lawyers and agents. Keep the fans out of it. I, for one, am tired of the constant whining. Cronin is not alone in this. Kelly did his share as well. But Kelly had an extremely large, very strong following. Cronin, at this point, does not outside of these types of forums. Enough already.

Mick has a hell of a lot more support than you clearly know. The anti-Mick crowd, despite their vociferous rants, is as dead as Liz Taylor. The athletic department does need to step it up in promoting the UC athletics as a whole and do a better job of reaching out to potential big donors.

Right now, they simply hope that big donors will pick up the phone. With the recent successes of both football and basketball it is incumbent upon the university to actively promote and go after donors that can help sustain the success of the athletics department long term.

 

[JasonS]

I cannot remember at any time in our university's history where ever single issue in regards to the program has been fought in the public's eye. The trend is highly unattractive and only spews negativity along with misconceptions. Cronin does not command an army of fans and the university's athletic department has yet to achieve the respectibility it needs to sway public opinion one way or the other. Issues need to be dealt with behind closed doors between lawyers and agents. Keep the fans out of it. I, for one, am tired of the constant whining. Cronin is not alone in this. Kelly did his share as well. But Kelly had an extremely large, very strong following. Cronin, at this point, does not outside of these types of forums. Enough already.

BK had such a huge following that they couldn't sell out Nippert for 6 or 7 games a year. Sounds like he had a whale of a following.

Look, BK was boisterous and a politician but he did more in the public's eye than Mick Cronin has even dreamed about. BK fought for everything in the public's eye, held the university hostage, and then still bolted when a better situation presented itself. I am not saying that he didn't do good for the program in the long run by getting the practice facility built, but you can't crucify Cronin and praise BK for the exact same thing, especially when BK was a bigger culprit for what you are complaining about.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Mick Cronin is fighting to keep Cincinnati competitive. He is spot on with the need to capture momentum and upgrade the facilities. I hope everyone understands the damage that would be done to this program if Mick Cronin were to leave right now. With 6 scholarships for next season (five filled one open) the loss of the head coach could be devastating when you factor in possible transfers.

I wouldn't think Cronin would go to a school like Oklahoma where he would have to rebuild again, but a school like NC State and all it's money and commitment to basketball could make a sell. What about a school like Tennessee? There are some rumors out there that Cronin is unhappy with the pace and details of an extension. This is not a time for the administration to blow this.

 

[JasonS]

Mick Cronin is fighting to keep Cincinnati competitive. He is spot on with the need to capture momentum and upgrade the facilities. I hope everyone understands the damage that would be done to this program if Mick Cronin were to leave right now. With 6 scholarships for next season (five filled one open) the loss of the head coach could be devastating when you factor in possible transfers.

I wouldn't think Cronin would go to a school like Oklahoma where he would have to rebuild again, but a school like NC State and all it's money and commitment to basketball could make a sell. What about a school like Tennessee? There are some rumors out there that Cronin is unhappy with the pace and details of an extension. This is not a time for the administration to blow this.

It makes sense that he would be unhappy with the slow movement of the extension. Afterall, you have to have enough years on your deal to look a kid in the eye and tell them that you will be there for all 4 years they will be there. This is why Huggins had the rollover in his contract. It is crucial to have that security for recruiting purposes. With the spring signing period coming up, Mick needs to have this in his back pocket to compete for a big man.

 

[bearcat jeff]

It makes sense that he would be unhappy with the slow movement of the extension. Afterall, you have to have enough years on your deal to look a kid in the eye and tell them that you will be there for all 4 years they will be there. This is why Huggins had the rollover in his contract. It is crucial to have that security for recruiting purposes. With the spring signing period coming up, Mick needs to have this in his back pocket to compete for a big man.

I'm hearing it goes beyond the extension of years.....Any coach wants to be able to compete with the other coaches in his league. Even USF is stepping up. It's hard enough when you face and recruit against guys named Calhoun, Pitino, Boehim, Huggins, Dixon, and Wright, Brey, and Williams. It's harder when you don't have the intangibles to sell either.

 

[JasonS]

I'm hearing it goes beyond the extension of years.....Any coach wants to be able to compete with the other coaches in his league. Even USF is stepping up. It's hard enough when you face and recruit against guys named Calhoun, Pitino, Boehim, Huggins, Dixon, and Wright, Brey, and Williams. It's harder when you don't have the intangibles to sell either.

I get that and I wasn't implying that the years were the only thing. I think the years may be the big reason for the urgency in getting it done now, though.

 

[Little Danny]

How is it that Cincy has like 11 or so fortune 500 companies and we are only affiliated with 5/3. We need to get Kroger, P&G, GE, Scripps, etc on board if we haven't already. There's huge money in Cincinnati both in Corporations and Private individuals, we HAVE to get some major donors to jump on board to compete. Lucky for us Cincy has plenty of potential Big Fish!

Kroger is in bed with OSU and UK. I live in Columbus and the Archie Griffen/Jim Tressel Kroger commericals are on all the time. I watched a few UK games this year and noted the Kroger logo all over Rupp. Obviously this means their advertising dollars are stretched for one, and two they probably don't want to give UC a signficant amount of money out of loyalties to those two schools.

However, you point is well taken. I know this sounds terrible, but the truth is these companies need to step up, not for UC, but for the well being of their companies and the city itself. Their name all over UC football and basketball facilities on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, etc. is worth its weight in gold.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I'm hearing it goes beyond the extension of years.....Any coach wants to be able to compete with the other coaches in his league. Even USF is stepping up. It's hard enough when you face and recruit against guys named Calhoun, Pitino, Boehim, Huggins, Dixon, and Wright, Brey, and Williams. It's harder when you don't have the intangibles to sell either.

Let me say this. I think Mick Cronin wants to be and will be the Cincinnati Bearcat Head Coach next season. Rumors and whispers aside (some based in fact). The administration is playing a dangerous game with this program and the revenue it could generate if they'd market it and make some improvements. In the end I think all parties will find a way to work out their differences. There's too much at stake here for all involved.

 

[Ryno99]

We just need to find our Phil Knight. He basically is the budget for Oregon Athletics. I'd even deal with that terrible floor they put in the new arena if we had that kind of money coming in.

 

[psax889906]

We just need to find our Phil Knight. He basically is the budget for Oregon Athletics. I'd even deal with that terrible floor they put in the new arena if we had that kind of money coming in.

Honestly I think the floor is kind of cool- even if you can't see the mid court line.

A Phil Knight or a Boone T. Pickens would certainly be nice... My head spins with all the possibilities that sort of money would conjure up.

 

[JasonS]

Rumor has it that if Matt Painter turns down the Missouri job (expected to decide this afternoon), Missouri will turn it's attention to....Mick Cronin. WTF is Mike Thomas doing? Get the contract extension freaking done! We could be looking for a new coach in 48-72 hours if this administration doesn't get their heads out of their collective asses.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Rumor has it that if Matt Painter turns down the Missouri job (expected to decide this afternoon), Missouri will turn it's attention to....Mick Cronin. WTF is Mike Thomas doing? Get the contract extension freaking done! We could be looking for a new coach in 48-72 hours if this administration doesn't get their heads out of their collective asses.

Where have you seen this? I tried googling who would be next in line if Painter turned it down and never saw Cronin's name pop up. I saw other names, but not Cronin's.

 

[JasonS]

This is from an article about Painter's flirtation with Missouri. The scary thing is that if you replace Painter with Cronin, is it really any different?

"Money is easier to change than a school's overall approach. If Painter is unhappy with the way his program is run from the top down -- if he thinks he'd have a better chance to win a title in Columbia, Mo. -- then there might not be much Purdue can do to dissuade him.

And there are potentially systemic explanations for Painter's interest in leaving Purdue. For one, a large portion of Painter's best and most successful class (stars JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore among them) is graduating this spring, and the return of Robbie Hummel in 2011-12 is the only real bright personnel spot for the Boilermakers. What's worse is what's happening in Bloomington, where Indiana coach Tom Crean, with a new, gleaming practice facility behind him, has lately boosted his recruiting efforts into the stratosphere. This fall, marquee recruit Cody Zeller arrives on campus, and Crean's 2012 class -- which is chock-full of top Indiana players -- has a chance to be the best in the country. If you're Painter, maybe you look at the future and wonder if the in-state tables have turned. Maybe you look at 2012, 2013 and beyond and wonder if Indiana's supposed rise won't increase the pressure to win in West Lafayette, Ind."

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...8853/painter-missouri-leave-everyone-guessing

 

[JasonS]

Where have you seen this? I tried googling who would be next in line if Painter turned it down and never saw Cronin's name pop up. I saw other names, but not Cronin's.

I'll PM you. Not sure I should post it here for all to see at this point.

 

[cincycpaw]

I'll PM you. Not sure I should post it here for all to see at this point.

Huh? Didn't you already post about it anyhow?

 

[bearcat jeff]

There are some things going on behind the scenes. Just because nothing is public, don't assume nothing is getting done. I'm not saying t's are crossed and i's are dotted, or even that everything will be worked out, but things are in motion. Was there any doubt that schools would look at Mick Cronin after all he's overcome? Leverage is a wonderful thing to have. The parties know what needs to be done. They may disagree on how to get there and timelines. The next couple days will be very interesting.

 

[JasonS]

Huh? Didn't you already post about it anyhow?

There's more to it than I posted. I am not saying that Mick is gone. Don't misconstrue what I am saying. Just know that Painter is target #1 and rumors are that Mick is #2 on their list.

 

[bearcat jeff]

I'll post this blurb, but I'm going on record saying Mick cronin will be the UC Head Coach into the future and that an agreement will be forthcoming very shortly. If I'm wrong I'll eat crow. I don't believe I will be.

Mick Cronin (Cincinnati): The Missouri Tigers could not beat them in the second round if the NCAA Tournament, so Mick Cronin is obviously doing something right at Cincy. He might just be the man Mizzou is looking for if they can not land Matt Painter. Cronin lead the Cincinnati Bearcats to the third round of the NCAA tournament this season before losing to the University of Connecticut.

http://www.pntoday.com/2011/03/28/possible-anderson-replacements-as-mizzou-head-coach/