In Reply to: Re: Congrats to Westbrook for an amazing NBA career..... posted by BruinsFTW on August 13, 2026 at 13:26:36
Former UCLA men's basketball head coach Ben Howland holds current UCLA coach Mick Cronin in very high regard, frequently praising his "old-school" coaching philosophy, demanding culture, and emphasis on relentless defense. The two share a long-standing friendship that dates back to the 1990s when Cronin helped run Sonny Vaccaro’s ABCD camp.
What Howland Has Said About Cronin
* Old-School Toughness: Howland openly appreciates Cronin’s "tough love" coaching approach. He has noted that Cronin's sideline demeanor and strict expectations align with the styles of legendary Hall of Fame coaches like Bob Huggins and Rick Pitino.
* Defensive Focus: As two defensive-minded coaches, Howland has continuously lauded the elite, relentless defense that Cronin's Bruin teams prioritize.
* Player Development: Howland has credited Cronin's staff for doing an excellent job with player development. For instance, he expressed that he was "heartbroken" when center Aday Mara transferred to Michigan because of how well Cronin's staff had developed him over his first two seasons.
* Program Support: Howland remains a vocal supporter of the program, attending practices as an honorary captain, encouraging fans to support the Men of Westwood NIL collective, and giving input to Cronin before he originally accepted the UCLA job.