UCLA Coach Cronin Apologizes After Incident

Cronin acknowledges his behavior brought negative attention to the program.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 11:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin apologized to forward Steven Jamerson II and the UCLA community after an incident during a game against Michigan State last weekend. Cronin sent Jamerson to the locker room late in the game after a hard foul, and then took exception to a question from a reporter after the game. Cronin watched the replay and realized he overreacted, and he acknowledged that his behavior brought negative attention to the storied basketball program.

Why it matters

Cronin's behavior during and after the game raised concerns about his coaching style and the impact it could have on the team and the program's reputation. As a high-profile coach, Cronin's actions are closely scrutinized, and this incident highlights the importance of maintaining composure and setting a positive example for players and the community.

The details

Cronin sent Jamerson to the locker room late in an 82-59 blowout loss to Michigan State after his player committed a hard foul on a fast break. Officials ruled the foul a Flagrant 1 and not a Flagrant 2, which would have required an ejection. After the game, Cronin took exception to a question about the Michigan State student section, calling the person asking the question "dude," and accusing him of raising his voice.

  • The incident occurred during a game against Michigan State last weekend.
  • Cronin apologized to Jamerson and the UCLA community on Friday.

The players

Mick Cronin

The head coach of the UCLA men's basketball team, known for his fiery coaching style and focus on defense.

Steven Jamerson II

A forward on the UCLA men's basketball team who was sent to the locker room by Cronin during the Michigan State game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I apologized to Steve. It gives me a chance to tell you guys what a great guy Steve is. ... Look, Steve is everything that is good about college basketball.”

— Mick Cronin, Head Coach, UCLA Men's Basketball

“The brand matters here. The school matters. The last thing I want to do is bring negative publicity to our school.”

— Mick Cronin, Head Coach, UCLA Men's Basketball

What’s next

The UCLA men's basketball team will host No. 10 Illinois on Saturday and has two remaining games against rival Southern California, as well as a visit from No. 9 Nebraska, still on the schedule.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of coaches maintaining composure and setting a positive example for their players and the community. As a high-profile program, UCLA's actions are closely scrutinized, and this apology from Cronin demonstrates his awareness of the need to uphold the program's reputation.