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UCLA reaches 6-year, $24M deal with head coach Mick Cronin

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After several misfires, UCLA has signed Mick Cronin to be its next head coach on a six-year, $24-million contract.

"UCLA is a very special place with a strong tradition of excellence. To be able to join such a world-class institution is truly a privilege, and I can't wait to get started in Westwood," the former Cincinnati coach said in the official announcement from the school Tuesday.

Cronin inherits a Bruins team coming off a 17-16 record. The program dismissed coach Steve Alford after parts of six seasons, promoting Murry Bartow, son of John Wooden successor Gene Bartow, to interim head coaching duties.

Murry Bartow bowed out of consideration for the permanent job in March.

The 47-year-old Cronin boasts a head coaching record of 365-171 (.681) across three seasons at Murray State (2003-06) and 13 seasons with the Bearcats (2006-19). His teams have made the NCAA Tournament in 11-of-16 seasons overall.

The Bruins were linked to several coaches in recent weeks, including Kentucky's John Calipari, TCU's Jamie Dixon, and Tennessee's Rick Barnes. Each man was either blocked from leaving his current program or decided to re-up after his school countered UCLA's reported pursuit.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball recommended former Bruins star Earl Watson, while some UCLA boosters reportedly pushed for Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, who's currently coaching Panathinaikos in Greece. On a less serious note, Pac-12 commentator Bill Walton stumped for Barack Obama.

None of those long-shot options came to fruition.

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