UCLA Basketball: Darren Savino officially named associate head coach

UCLA basketball head coach Mick Cronin has brought in the first member of his staff as he brings his former assistant Darren Savino in from Cincinnati.

UCLA basketball head coach Mick Cronin continues to get things done in his new position as he officially hired his first assistant coach, which just happens to be his former assistant at Cincinnati, Darren Savino.

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For the last nine seasons, Savino has worked closely with Cronin at Cincinnati, helping the Bearcats get to the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons. Additionally, Cincinnati won 22 or more games in that span, with two seasons of 30 or more wins.

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Not only will Savino help Cronin build the foundation for this Bruins squad with his coaching acumen, but he will also contribute as he is a reliable recruiter and will help bring in the type of player that Cronin wants at UCLA.

In addition to that, both Cronin and Savino will lay down a solid foundation of defensive-minded basketball, something that has been missing in Westwood for several seasons.

This hire is just that start to building Cronin’s staff, but it is a massive piece as Savino will help take some of the pressure off Cronin as he prepares for next season.

The new head coach will also look to bring in a few more assistants, but who he is targeting is yet to be seen. Though Cronin and Savino have a solid track record of recruiting and have a few ties to the west coast, it would be in Cronin’s best interest to try and hire a coach that has not only active west coast and California recruiting ties but also someone that knows the UCLA basketball culture.

Two coaches that Cronin could look at are former players that were linked to the UCLA coaching search, Tyus Edney and Earl Watson.

Edney has been with the program since Ben Howland was in charge and held roles as both the head of basketball operation and assistant coach while Watson has a few years of coaching experience in the NBA.