June 18, 2009

(2:43 p.m.): Well, we haven’t done one of these in a while. Little mailbag time, based on this blog post I wrote earlier this week.

And if you don’t want to reread the blog entry, the main point I made was Mick Cronin’s contract extension was probably a good move made by UC AD Mike Thomas. Here’s the nut graf (though it came at the end of the post, making it more of the kicker):

The timing of this extension is interesting. Obviously for recruiting performances, it’s an important accomplishment. Not that extensions necessarily mean anything (as former football coach Rick Minter probably can attest*), but the implication is that Mick is safe for another few seasons. And honestly, I think he deserves that job security. The team has improved each year, and he’s stabilized the program after the disastrous end to Bob Huggins’ era. The end of the season might have turned some fans against him, but he’s right – when you look back objectively, you’d have to agree that the program has been on a steady rise since he became the coach.

Gotta love the readers who wrote in, and I thank each and every person who responded (including one who left a comment to me on joshkatzowitz.com (updated (nearly) every day!), proving that putting that comment box on the web site was a good move).

Here we go:

From Keith:

Because of the success UC enjoyed under Bob Huggins, the standard for success at UC has been set much higher than what Coach Cronin has achieved so far. I think UC has progressed under Coach Cronin and I also think UC is on track to be very successful. But, until Coach Cronin leads UC back to conference championships and NCAA tournament bids, I will withhold judgment on whether or not UC basketball is back.

I think that’s a fair statement. The other argument I’ve heard when I’ve said in the past that Mick is doing fine and that fans should temper their expectations. Then, the fans come back and say, “Well, why in the heck should I temper my expectations. I should expect the best.” OK, but that’s just not reality at this point. And if you’re expecting Huggins-type success at this point in Mick’s tenure, well, it’s just not possible. We’re talking about Big East vs. dominating Conference USA, we’re talking about a football program that was irrelevant making basketball the No. 1 destination a decade ago, we’re talking about a different era. Obviously, many Bearcats fans don’t agree with me – as evidenced by the turnstile counts. But I wonder what it will take for fans to start coming back to Fifth Third Arena (especially since basketball attendance has declined for five straight seasons).

Agree. Mick Cronin deserved 2-year extension. You cannot recruit without 5 years on your contract. Bearcats have improved each year - 11 W, then 13 W, next 18 W. But DISAGREE. UC was 420-140 under Huggins and Kennedy. UC was 71-28 the last 3 years under H and K. UC is 42-52 the first 3 years under Mick Cronin. Blame that on Zimpher and/or Thomas, NOT Huggins and his staff.

Yeah, when I said that the end of the Huggins was disastrous I wasn’t really talking about the on-the-court record. I was referring more toward the power struggle he and Nancy Zimpher went through, the fact the program didn’t recruit for two years, the DUI and the negative national attention that brought, the fact Mick basically had to start from scratch. No doubt that Huggins can coach, but, with some help from Zimpher and the UC administration, he helped serve the basketball program basically what was the death penalty.

And now, I’ve got a bonus question that will be on joshkatzowitz.com. It’s a little harsher in tone than these first two. Come check it out.