University of Cincinnati head men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin, who sat out the majority of the season for precautionary reasons while dealing with a non-life threatening vascular condition known as arterial dissection, has been cleared to resume all duties with no restrictions, the department of athletics announced Monday.
"I would like to thank the entire University of Cincinnati community and administration for their support during the past three months," Cronin said. "I also would like to thank UC Health and its neurosurgery department, especially Dr. Norberto Andaluz and Dr. Todd Abruzzo, for the care that I have received.
"Obviously, I’m excited to be coaching again, but most importantly, I’m grateful to be 100 percent healthy," Cronin said.
Cronin coached the Bearcats in the first nine games of the season before his arterial dissection was discovered in mid-December during a routine workup after a complaint of lingering headaches. He sat out UC’s contests against VCU (Dec. 20), Wagner (Dec. 23) and N.C. State (Dec. 30) while awaiting test results and treatment options. The department of athletics announced he would miss the remainder of the season on Jan. 2.
Cronin continued to run the program, directing the coaching staff and assisting with game planning and recruiting while not attending home or road contests.
Associate head coach Larry Davis led UC in practices and games, compiling a 16-9 record in Cronin’s absence. The Bearcats finished the season 23-11 overall, advancing to their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament before falling to undefeated Kentucky, 64-51, in third-round action on March 21.
"We are pleased Mick is able to fully resume his coaching duties," Director of Athletics Mike Bohn said. "His behind-the-scenes leadership was critical in last season’s success coupled with Larry’s direction and the players’ focus on the court throughout the year."
Cronin will enter his 10th season at the helm of the Bearcats in 2015-16, returning 11 of 12 lettermen and all five starters from the previous campaign. He owns a 184-118 record at Cincinnati and a 254-142 ledger overall in 12 seasons as a head coach. He was named Coach of the Year in the American Athletic Conference during the 2013-14 campaign after guiding the Bearcats to a share of the league title.
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