UC head men's basketball coach Mick Cronin benched after aneurysm discovered

CINCINNATI — It is unclear when Mick Cronin will return to lead his University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team after doctors diagnosed him this week with an unruptured aneurysm.

As a precaution, the school’s athletic department benched the 43-year-old head coach indefinitely on Saturday until UC Health staff could further assess his health.

“Coach Cronin is doing well,” said UC team physician, Dr. Michael Donaworth. “While he would love to be courtside, he understands our decision. His health is our biggest priority.”

Doctors discovered the aneurysm after Cronin went in to have a lingering headache checked out. An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of a blood vessel.

The coach is scheduled for further testing Monday, UC Athletic Director Mike Bohn said. 

UC associate head coach Larry Davis

Cronin told his players about 90 minutes before Saturday’s matchup with VCU that he would not be on the sideline, senior forward Jermaine Sanders said. He did not stay for the game at Fifth Third Arena. 

Associate head coach Larry Davis led the Bearcats’ during their 68-47 loss.

VIDEO ABOVE: DAVIS DISCUSSES FILLING IN FOR CRONIN

Cronin will more than likely miss Tuesday’s home game at 7 p.m. against Wagner College. The team is next on the road Dec. 30 when they face North Carolina State in Raleigh.

“I appreciate the UC Health medical community for all they have done to get to the bottom of my issue as quickly as possible,” Cronin said. “Obviously, I am being held out of coaching the team for precautionary reasons which I fully understand. I have total confidence in my coaching staff and players that they will be focused and ready to play today.”

After the announcement, Cronin took to Twitter to reassure fans as well.

“Obviously not coaching was a tough pill to swallow, but as a teacher I ask my players to be smart and make the right decisions,” he stated. “I hope to be back ASAP but that will not be my call. As I love to say ‘I am always day to day.’ So that really applies now.”

UC head men"s basketball coach Mick Cronin benched after aneurysm discovered