UCLA officials have narrowed their focus on Texas Christian’s Jamie Dixon and Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin in the search to fill their basketball coaching vacancy after striking out with a slew of top targets, the Los Angeles Times has learned.
Dixon, a native of North Hollywood who apprenticed for several years as an assistant under former UCLA coach Ben Howland during previous stops at Pittsburgh and Northern Arizona, has compiled a 395-163 record in 16 seasons at Pittsburgh and Texas Christian. Dixon’s Horned Frogs play Smart’s Longhorns on Tuesday in a National Invitation Tournament semifinal at Madison Square Garden.
Cronin could also be a candidate for the Virginia Tech vacancy created by Buzz Williams’ expected departure for Texas A&M. Cronin makes $2.2 million per season at Cincinnati, according to USA Today’s salary database, putting him in line for a considerable raise were he to come to UCLA.Money was not a hindrance in the Bruins’ apparent failure to land a top target after starting with a list of more than 50 candidates, including some of the biggest names in the NBA and college basketball.
Among the A-list candidates, only Kentucky’s John Calipari granted UCLA a meeting, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The Bruins offered Calipari a six-year, $45-million contract in addition to a lucrative package for assistants and staff members. But Calipari declined the offer, deciding he could not leave the school where he won a national championship in 2012 and has advanced to three other Final Fours. He agreed to what was described as a lifetime contract on Monday to stay at Kentucky.
Several other prospective UCLA candidates were eliminated through the school’s vetting process for various reasons, including past NCAA violations and personal indiscretions. Thad Matta, the former Ohio State coach, was removed from consideration because of concerns over lingering health issues.The best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond.
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