Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Numerous DI Head Coaches Departed Alma Mater
May 10th, 2020 - 8:11
We don't know if the song "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" was the background music when they made up their minds. But UCLA mentor Mick Cronin was the latest coach to make gut-wrenching decision to leave alma mater for a similar coaching position with another school or NBA franchise. Cronin departed after 13 seasons at Cincinnati - the same tenure Keith Dambrot had at Akron before abandoning ship for Duquesne. Following is an alphabetical list of active mentors who voluntarily left their Division I alma maters:
| Active Coach | Alma Mater (Coaching Years) | Subsequent Job (Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Jamion Christian | Mount St. Mary's '04 (2012-13 through 2017-18) | Siena (2018-19) |
| Mick Cronin | Cincinnati (2006-07 through 2018-19) | UCLA (since 2019-20) |
| Keith Dambrot | Akron '82 (2004-05 through 2016-17) | Duquesne (since 2017-18) |
| Ed DeChellis | Penn State '82 (2003-04 through 2010-11) | Navy (since 2011-12) |
| Bryce Drew | Valparaiso '98 (2011-12 through 2015-16) | Vanderbilt (2016-17 through 2018-19) |
| Lon Kruger | Kansas State '74 (1986-87 through 1989-90) | Florida (1990-91 through 1995-96) |
| Larry Krystkowiak | Montana '86 (2004-05 and 2005-06) | Milwaukee Bucks (2006-07 and 2007-08) |
| Mike Krzyzewski | Army '69 (1975-76 through 1979-80) | Duke (since 1980-81) |
| Dave Leitao | Northeastern '82 (1994-95 and 1995-96) | Connecticut assistant (second stint from 1996-97 through 2001-02) |
| Chris Mack | Xavier '92 (2009-10 through 2017-18) | Louisville (since 2018-19) |
| Greg McDermott | Northern Iowa '88 (2001-02 through 2005-06) | Iowa State (2006-07 through 2009-10) |
| Nick McDevitt | UNC Asheville '01 (2013-14 through 2017-18) | Middle Tennessee State (since 2018-19) |
| Wayne Tinkle | Montana '89 (2006-07 through 2013-14) | Oregon State (since 2014-15) |
NOTE: Christian (George Washington), Drew (Grand Canyon), Kruger (Oklahoma), Krystkowiak (Utah), Leitao (DePaul) and McDermott (Creighton) currently are coaching other colleges.