The Bruins’ head coach was asked about the Indiana job a few times and had the following to say.
A new trend probably started and ended with UCLA’s Mick Cronin on Friday: opposing coaches at Assembly Hall being asked about the upcoming Indiana men’s basketball job opening.
It started with Michigan’s Dusty May, a former Indiana manager, when he brought his Wolverines down south and won. It continued with Cronin, who likewise left the building with a victory.
I don’t think Matt Painter, Mike Rhoades or Jake Diebler are going to be asked, so that’s probably it for this specific thing happening. Anyway, Cronin has been floated by a candidate by a few different outlets. Naturally he was asked about it.
In one instance, he said he’d never comment on a coaching situation out of respect for the sitting head coach.
UCLA coach Mike Cronin’s full response when asked about Indiana’s job opening.
Cronin, a midwest native, has been a candidate mentioned with IU’s head coaching search. #iubb pic.twitter.com/I7VjAVpTOY
— Jared Kelly (@Jared_Kelly7) February 15, 2025
In another instance he was directly asked for his response to being on aforementioned hot boards. To this he responded with a bit of a joke, saying those around UCLA might want him fired rather than hired.
Mick Cronin’s postgame reaction to being on #iubb coaching hot boards: pic.twitter.com/ffHYMI3QSK
— Will Foley (@thewillfoley) February 15, 2025