Mick Cronin jokes about how he got Richard Pitino his first coaching job

When UCLA is the host New Mexico On Friday night, two old friends will compete on the sidelines. Mick Cronin And Richard Pitino We have known each other for more than 20 years, ever since Pitino first entered the coaching world. In fact, Cronin credits himself with getting Pitino his first job.

“I got him his first job,” Cronin said. “He’s going to be mad at me, but I got him his first job as a freshman Providence College. I got him a job with the legendary coach in Barrington, Rhode Island, St. Andrew’s – Mike Hart, who still coaches. A true legend of high school basketball on the East Coast and Northeast.

“So he started with a legend. It was better for him to be a manager at Providence. His dad and I talked about it, so he was an assistant coach as a freshman.”

As Cronin mentioned, Pitino attended Providence and spent time in the program as a manager. But taking the high school job was career advice for Cronin after starting his own journey that way. Not a bad path to take, especially when you’re working under someone like Hart – who Cronin clearly has a lot of respect for.

The move paid off as Pitino has been in the coaching world ever since. His first job at the collegiate level was with Charleston in 2004. Eight years later, FIU hired him as head coach before moving to Minnesota in 2013. Now in New Mexico, Pitino’s program has a great opportunity to compete against UCLA.

Both New Mexico and UCLA started their seasons with a 1-0 record Nicholls And driverrespectful. Friday presents an opportunity to get a clear win for the NCAA Tournament as all games count when the selection committee reviews resumes. Henderson, NV will host – just outside of Las Vegas – as a neutral venue.