SEATTLE — Strengthening your commitment Mick Cronin, UCLA The men's basketball coach quietly signed a new five-year contract last summer that runs through the 2029-30 season, according to documents reviewed by The Times through a public records request.
The contract that Cronin and sporting director Martin Jarmond In May and effective June 1, he will pay Cronin $4.5 million per season, slightly more than the $4.1 million he received under his previous contract, which expired after the 2027-28 season.
“I’m honored to be the coach of UCLA,” Cronin told The Times late Saturday after his team’s game. Lost to Gonzaga 82-72. at the Climate Pledge Arena. “For me, I don't have any indication of being anywhere else. I've had a lot of offers to do it. I'm where I want to be, so I'll always say the same thing – it was surreal when I got the job and I'm just working hard to do everything I can to improve our program to the point where we can try to win a title for our fans, and that's all I really care about. I'm at this point in my career, so if they want to extend me, I'll take it this is because I am not going anywhere.”
According to an athletic department spokesperson, the contract was not announced at the time of signing due to the university's financial climate, especially given the prospect of declining federal funding.
Cronin's contract came shortly after he led UCLA to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where the Bruins lost to Tennessee. Cronin's previous teams reached the Final Four in 2021 and the Sweet 16 in 2022 and 2023.
Cronin, 54, compiled a 145-67 record in seven seasons with the Bruins, including the 2023 Pac-12 title, which his team won by four games over second-place Arizona.
His new contract includes a buyout provision that will pay him $22.5 million if he is terminated without cause before March 31, 2026. The buyout amount would drop to $18 million if it is terminated without cause before March 31, 2027; $13.5 million through March 31, 2028; $9 million through March 31, 2029; and $4.5 million through March 31, 2030.
The buyout includes a mitigation clause that offsets UCLA's buyout obligations against future employment during the term of the contract.
If Cronin were to take another job, he would owe UCLA $15 million through March 31, 2026, with that amount dropping to $12 million through March 31, 2027; $8 million through March 31, 2028; $6 million through March 31, 2029; and $4 million through March 31, 2030.
The bonus structure in Cronin's contract calls for him to earn $25,000 for the conference championship and $15,000 for the conference tournament championship. He will receive an additional $45,000 if the Bruins make the NCAA Tournament, $25,000 for reaching the second round, $40,000 for reaching the Sweet 16, $25,000 for reaching the Elite Eight, $50,000 for reaching the Final Four, $25,000 for reaching the championship game and $50,000 for winning in the national title. If Cronin is selected as the conference coach of the year, he will earn an additional $10,000.
Cronin could receive additional amounts for his team's academic performance, as well as $500,000 in retention bonuses if he serves through April 15, 2026; $600,000 if it operates through April 15, 2027; $700,000 if it operates through April 15, 2028; and $700,000 if it operates through April 15, 2029.
