Report: Villanova Eyeing UCLA Head Coach Mick Cronin

The Villanova Wildcats’ athletic department is amidst a national head coaching search following the dismissal of Kyle Neptune after three seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance, and according to a report from college basketball insider Adam Zagoria, a new name is starting to pop up: Mick Cronin, current head coach of the UCLA Bruins.

Cronin, 53, possesses a 502-233 career record, coaching at Murray State and Cincinnati before his current run with the Bruins, which began in 2019. That includes a 15-14 mark in the NCAA Tournament, along with a Final Four appearance as a No. 11 seed during the 2021 season. The Bruins made the tournament again this season, earning a No. 7 seed that sets them up to face Utah State in the Round of 64 on Thursday, March 20. While Villanova would face a tough challenge prying Cronin away from UCLA, especially given the amount of TV money at the Big Ten’s disposal in the wake of conference realignment — a hurdle that could impact the Wildcats’ pursuit of Maryland head coach Kevin Willard — Cronin possesses the proven track record that a New Blood program like the Wildcats expects.

Also included in Zagoria’s report is Northwestern head coach Chris Collins, whose candidacy Philadelphia Sports Now broke down on Sunday, March 16.