UCLA Basketball: Mick Cronin hires San Diego State assistant Rod Palmer

It is being reported that UCLA basketball head coach Mick Cronin is targeting San Diego State assistant coach Rod Palmer for a spot on the Bruins’ staff.

It was going to take some time, but Mick Cronin is doing what he can to make his first season as the head of the UCLA basketball program a good one. With all of the responsibility that comes with the job, he has hit the ground running and that includes hiring suitable staff.

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On Wednesday, it was reported that Cronin is zeroing in on another assistant. The San Diego Union-Tribune has claimed that UCLA is courting San Diego State assistant coach Rod Palmer. and is expected to take the position by the week’s end.

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Those claims have reportedly come true as UCLA has officially announced Palmer’s hiring.

Palmer had spent this last season (his only season with SDSU) helping the Aztecs to a 22-11 season which included an 11-7 Mountain West Conference record and a conference tournament championship.

San Diego State was also invited to the NCAA Tournament but had an unfortunate first-round exit. Before that, Palmer spent 11 years at Long Beach State where he assisted Dan Monson.

Palmer is a good fit for the Bruins for many reasons. On top of playing for UCLA from 1985-87 (which will help continue to strengthen ties with the UCLA community, alumni and former players), Palmer also knows the Southern California recruiting landscape, which would be an immense help to Cronin on that front.

This is the second coach Cronin has brought in as he has already added long-time assistant Darren Savino from Cincinnati, who also is very proactive in a recruit.

With the hiring of Palmer, this will give Cronin a more pervasive presence on the west coast. Add that with Cronin’s determination and UCLA could be dominating the recruiting landscape in no time. Welcome (back) to Westwood, Coach Palmer!