Generation Hex: Cronin Compiled One of Worst NCAA Playoff Marks At Hiring

Light years removed from legendary John Wooden compiling a 44-1 NCAA tourney record in his last 11 postseason appearances from 1964 through 1975, the Bruins will remain in ruins unless new UCLA coach Mick Cronin has a reversal of fortunes when it comes to performance in NCAA Tournament competition. Cronin, reaching a Sweet 16 only once in 11 tourney appearances, is among the following coaches at least fives games below .500 in NCAA playoff play when they were hired by another university:

• Fran Dunphy (1-9 tourney mark with Penn from 1993 through 2006 when hired by Temple)
• Oliver Purnell (0-6 with Old Dominion, Dayton and Clemson from 1992 through 2010 when hired by DePaul)
• Mick Cronin (6-11 with Murray State and Cincinnati from 2004 through 2019 when hired by UCLA)
• Travis Ford (1-6 with Eastern Kentucky and Oklahoma State from 2005 through 2015 when hired by Saint Louis)