UCLA Coach Ejects Player in Surprising Incident
In a surprising turn of events during a challenging game on February 17, UCLA’s men’s basketball head coach Mick Cronin took the unusual step of ejecting his own player, forward Steven Jamerson II. This incident occurred during the Bruins’ 82-59 defeat against Michigan State, where Jamerson was penalized with a Flagrant 1 foul late in the second half, which did not warrant an automatic removal from the game.
Coach’s Regret and Reflection
However, Cronin made the decision to send Jamerson to the locker room himself, an action he ultimately regretted. On February 20, Cronin expressed his remorse, stating he overreacted to what he perceived as a “dirty play”. In his own words, the situation escalated after he compared Jamerson’s actions to those of a player from Providence who had been involved in a serious foul against a St. John’s player.
“I thought he literally made a dirty play and tried to wipe the guy out,”
Cronin noted in his apology.
Upon reviewing the game footage, Cronin recognized that while Jamerson did receive a Flagrant 1 foul, he questioned whether the response was justified.
“I was wrong. I apologized to him,”
he admitted to reporters, revealing the reflective nature of his critique after cooling down from the game.
Pressures of Coaching
Additionally, following the game loss, he found himself in a tense interaction with a journalist, labeling one of the reporter’s questions as “the worst he has ever been asked”. In a moment of self-awareness, Cronin acknowledged the need to temper his remarks and maintain a measured approach, not just for himself but for the representation of UCLA’s athletic program.
“I need to dial back some of my humor bends,”
he stated.
“The brand matters here; the last thing I want is to bring negative publicity to our school.”
Looking Ahead
Now in his seventh year leading UCLA’s program, Cronin is at a critical junction as the Bruins strive for a spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. His coaching tenure has included notable successes such as a Final Four appearance and two Sweet 16 runs, making the current season’s challenges even more pressing. As UCLA navigates through this season, Cronin’s commitment to both the team’s performance and its image remains essential.
This incident serves as a reminder of the pressures that college basketball coaches face, and the balance they must strike between passion and professionalism.
Originally published by USA TODAY: “UCLA coach Mick Cronin apologizes for ejecting Steven Jamerson during game.”
