Report: UCLA's Mick Cronin Viewed as 'Dark Horse' for Villanova HC After Neptune Exit

After Villanova fired head coach Kyle Neptune following his three-year tenure, the team reportedly is eyeing a veteran leader as his potential replacement.

Adam Zagoria of NJ.com reported that UCLA head coach Mick Cronin "is a 'dark horse' contender for the job along with Northwestern’s Chris Collins, multiple people close to the situation said."

In March 2022, Cronin signed a six-year contract extension with the Bruins through the 2027-28 season. At the time, Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times reported that his new deal paid him $4.1 million annually and included contract buyouts of $16 million through March 31, 2025, and $10 million through March 31, 2026, which would be paid to Cronin if he was terminated without cause or Cronin would have to pay to the school if he departed.

Cronin coached UCLA to a 22-9 record in its first season in the Big Ten. The Bruins are the No. 7 seed in the Midwest Region and will face No. 10 Utah State in the NCAA tournament first round on Thursday. The team made a Final Four appearance under Cronin in 2021 and will be looking to make another deep run this year.

After replacing the legendary Jay Wright as Villanova's head coach, Neptune struggled to replicate his predecessor's success. In three seasons, he failed to lead the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament. He compiled a 54-47 combined record, including a 19-14 finish to the 2024-25 campaign. Mike Nardi will serve as interim head coach when the team takes on Colorado in the first round of The Crown tournament on April 9.

In addition to Cronin and Collins, Zagoria noted that "other names linked to the job include Princeton’s Mitch Henderson, VCU’s Ryan Odom and New Mexico’s Richard Pitino." However, a source described Cronin and Collins as "the two leading contenders" for Villanova's opening.