Cronin signs contract extension through 2028

PORTLAND, ORE. » Mick Cronin is taking care of business while on a business trip.

The UCLA men’s basketball coach signed a new six-year deal that will make him the head coach through the 202728 season, according to a release from the school Thursday morning.

The news came less than 10 hours before the Bruins played their first NCAA Tournament game against Akron at 6:50 p.m. in Portland.

“Mick Cronin is one of the best coaches in the country, and this deal signifies our commitment to keeping him at UCLA and competing for national championships,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said.

“Mick is the right leader for our program because he knows what it means to represent the four letters, he won’t settle for less than being an elite program, and he wins with integrity. He has done a tremendous job of developing young men, and his players respect him.”

Cronin is one of just four active head coaches to have led his teams to the last 11 consecutive NCAA Tournaments (including this season). He joins Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Kansas’ Bill Self in that category.

“I believe we have created a culture of success and competitive greatness at UCLA,” Cronin said. “I am totally committed to seeing this process through with the goal of becoming national champions and one of the elite programs in college basketball. I’m grateful for the commitment from UCLA, and in particular to Chancellor Block and Martin Jarmond as they trust me to continue leading this program forward.”

Cronin has totaled more career victories (431) than any other NCAA Division I head coach, age 50 or younger. Over the previous 12 seasons, including his final nine seasons as Cincinnati’s head coach, Cronin has averaged 25.1 victories per year.

His teams have gone 126-39 in conference games over the past nine years.

Through three seasons at UCLA, Cronin has compiled a 66-29 record and has led this year’s team to its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Last March, Cronin led UCLA to the Final Four from the First Four, which took the nation by storm.

PHOTOS BY CRAIG MITCHELLDYER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS UCLA’S Jaime Jaquez Jr. puts up a shot as Akron’s Garvin Clarke looks on during the first half of Thursday night’s NCAA Tournament first-round game.

Akron’s Ali Ali, center, dunks between UCLA defenders Cody Riley (2) and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

KEITH BIRMINGHAM — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER UCLA head coach Mick Cronin signed a six-year contract extension Thursday, less than 10hours before the Bruins’ tournament game.