Cincinnati Bearcats Head Coach Mick Cronin is the Money Police

October 16, 2018 -- 6:25 p.m. CDT

Mick Cronin has had tremendous success as head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats. Cronin was named Bearcats' Head Coach before the 2006-2007 season. During his tenure, Cronin has won 337 games and guided the Bearcats to 8-consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.

In addition to his role as head coach, Cronin, apparently, has another role: the Money Police.

Let me explain. Monday, during the 2018 American Athletic Conference Basketball Media Day, I spoke with Cronin to get his thoughts on Rockets' rookie Gary Clark and Warriors' rookie Jacob Evans III. Cronin coached both players at UC; and, both are now set to begin their rookie seasons in the NBA.

In addition to speaking about Clark and Evans, Coach Cronin shares his thoughts on The American: as a basketball conference; the resurgence of Memphis and UConn; and the importance of the next tv deal for the conference.

How often do you speak with Gary and Jacob now that they're in the NBA?

"Well, I'm the guy that's still their coach. So, my thing with these guys is is doesn't matter how much money you make it's how much money you save. I'm like the money police. I don't want to hear about new cars. I don't want to see flashy jewelry. But, neither one of them is making enough money for all that.

"They both asked me about investments. I said, 'That's for me. You guys are broke. You haven't made any money, yet. You worry about investing after you're not broke. Right now, you worry about saving than investing; and, if anybody mentions investing to you, just run. Turn and run. You need to worry about saving. I'm the money police with these guys right now. That's kind of the role I take on after they go to the pros. And, just to try to help their confidence level."

When you have players that go to the league, do you use them as a recruiting tool on the recruiting trail?

"I think it validates your program. First of all, we use it with our current players. 'See what happens - you're Gary Clark; and, you're a three-star recruit; you've a good attitude and great work ethic and you listen and you learn how to be a winner look what happens for you.' Same as Jacob Evans.

"You definitely use it in recruiting; but, you also, more importantly, use it with your own players that they see a validation of the hard work their teammates put in and they it got them to the pro level.

"Anytime those guys make it, A - you're happy for them. We take great pride in what they've done. Obviously, B - it's great for your program."

Shifting gears to Media Day, what are your thoughts on the conference overall?

"Yeah, that's a tough one because I don't think that way. I live in a little box. I worry about the Bearcats until I get here and people start bringing it up.

"I think we got a lot of basketball schools in our league. Not just this season. I think our conference is a basketball conference. It just is. We've got some teams like Central Florida is undefeated in football; but, Houston, obviously, with Hakeem (Hakeem Olajuwon), Clyde (Clyde Drexler) has a basketball tradition. Cincinnati: Oscar Robertson. Memphis: Penny Hardaway is now their coach. UConn: national titles. Wichita State is a basketball school. Temple has always been a basketball school.

"We have great basketball tradition in our league. Universities that are committed to winning in basketball. And, if we get coaching stability, our league is only going to get better every year. Coaching stability equals recruiting stability. We get Houston and Cincinnati with new arenas. Memphis and UConn with new coaches. It just shows you the constant 'what do we gotta do to win in basketball?' by the administrators of the schools in our league. That's kind of proof of what I'm saying: basketball is important in our league.

"Now, this year, Central Florida has got to be healthy. If they're ever healthy, they've got great talent. Johnny Dawkins does a great job with his schemes on that team. But, it's tough to do when you don't have your team most of the time.

"SMU has had a ton of injuries.

"Other than that, I think Memphis has a lot of guys back. Lot of seniors. I'm a believer that seniors win.

"Houston has got their culture built. They're always going to win now. Just a matter of how much.

"I think UConn, with Coach Hurley, you'll see a bounce effect there that he'll be able to generate some good things at UConn. I think moreso down the road; but, he'll be able to get something done this year."

Do you believe / agree with the national perception that this conference needs UConn and Memphis to become nationally relevant in order for this conference to be relevant?

"Sure. But, I think it's unfair to say that for them. Because I think Houston has become relevant and that's not talked about enough. SMU was relevant; but, they had a terrible year of injuries last year. The worse I've ever seen; but, for the previous three years, they were nationally relevant.

"It's just tough for our league because we're The American; so, we're still a newer league. So, when our teams do win to get the relevance and the media attention that they deserve. But, no doubt because of the tradition at Memphis and UConn and their fan bases and the commitment to basketball at those schools, it's going to help when they're at their best. And, I think that's just a matter of time."

Saying that this is a basketball conference, how important is it for the conference to get more money in the new tv deal?

"It's always important to get more money. That's a big, long question that we could do a sit down interview. Obviously, all the schools in our league play football except for Wichita State. And, we have enormous budgets to cover the costs (of football). When the tv deal is up, it's huge for our league to get as much money as we can for that tv deal for the future of our conference and the well-being of the athletic departments.

"Right now, the truth is you're relying on university subsidies. How long can that last is the question? How long does the University of Cincinnati; and Houston; and UConn; and the boosters at certain places that are filling the gap and the void -- where the tv money is filling that gap in the Power 5."

CLICK HERE for more NCAAM news and info.