Mick Cronin staying at Cincinnati, won't take UNLV job

UNLV will have to find someone else to be its next coach.

Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin announced Friday that he will be staying with the Bearcats.

"I would like people to try and understand after 10 years of dedicated service I chose to evaluate my career and my life," Cronin said. "Reflecting through that process was extremely difficult, but it was something I needed to do for me personally. The city of Cincinnati and the university are special places to me and I've always said what an honor it is to be the head coach at my alma mater. This program has come such a long way in 10 years and we've still got work to do and goals to achieve. The 2016-17 season starts for me today and I can't wait for the future that lies ahead for the Bearcats and this university."

Cronin has posted a 207-129 mark in 10 seasons at Cincinnati, but reports surfaced that he was considering taking the UNLV job. At one point, Rebels athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy thought they had a deal in place with Cronin.

President Santa Ono noted, though, that the Bearcats were doing everything they could to keep him.

"Mick Cronin has done the tough job of rebuilding our Bearcats program, and I am thrilled to hear he will be returning next year," Ono said. "I know he is hungry to build on the success of the past 10 years and our six straight appearances in the NCAA tournament."

The Rebels are left in a tough spot in their coaching search, which they hope to complete by the Final Four. UNLV interim coach Todd Simon has already accepted the Southern Utah job, so the Rebels appear to be back at square one.