UCLA Basketball Coach Mick Cronin's Game Day Hunger Pangs

Rosemont, Ill. – Mick Cronin, the head coach for UCLA men's basketball, is known for his engaging personality and quick wit, often delivering memorable one-liners during media interactions. However, this affable demeanor can shift on game days due to a self-imposed dietary restriction:

Cronin does not eat solid food on game days, subsisting only on calorie-free beverages like Powerade Zero, Gatorade Zero, or coconut water. This practice, which he describes as a struggle he has battled throughout his career, is his way of managing nerves and stress associated with competition.

"It's something I've fought my whole career," Cronin told the California Post. "We all have nerves of different levels. It just kind of is what it is – some guys can’t sleep … I have the bottled-up stomach problem on game day. If I do eat on game day, I’ll have to get up real early."

He expressed his dislike for these restrictions, stating, "I hate it; it’s tough. Everybody’s system is different, so put it this way – if I can do the press conference while eating a steak, I would do the press conference while eating a steak."

This peculiar habit is believed to contribute to his often-grumpy disposition after games, regardless of the outcome. The lack of open restaurants near campus in Los Angeles after late games further compounds the issue, as many establishments close by 9 p.m., unlike in cities like New York where late-night dining is more common.

Despite his dietary challenges, Cronin maintains that the presence of this nervousness and stress is an indicator that he still cares deeply about coaching. He suggested that when these feelings subside, it will signal that it's time for him to move on from the profession.

Beyond his game-day routine, Cronin also shared anecdotes about his interactions with players and other coaches. He mentioned texting Dodgers manager Dave Roberts about the team's close playoff games and humorously responded to a question about a player's ability to handle the ball by comparing it to his dog's antics. He also made a sartorial comment about the importance of a sportscoat as a symbol of style.

Cronin also touched upon the financial realities of college basketball, noting that UCLA is not in a position where coaches struggle to retain their top players, a situation he wryly suggested might force him to "sell hamburgers down on Santa Monica Boulevard" if it were otherwise.

He recounted a story about grilling cheeseburgers for his players at UCLA's practice facility, which became so popular that even athletic department staff were drawn by the smell, leading him to eventually stop due to the overwhelming demand.

For now, Cronin continues to navigate the pressures of coaching, with his pre-game hunger serving as a strange, yet significant, part of his competitive regimen.