"Prime example of how not to lead": Ex-NBA player tears into Mick Cronin for throwing UCLA team under the bus after sympathy over LA fires

Former NBA player Jay Williams blasted UCLA coach Mick Cronin for lashing out at his team following the Bruins' loss to the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday night. Williams took aim at Cronin during Saturday's broadcast of "College GameDay" on ESPN.

Cronin grabbed the headlines for the wrong reasons following No. 22 UCLA's 94-75 loss to No. 24 Michigan. He called the Bruins "soft" after their lackluster showing against the Wolverines. In his postgame press conference, he ranted not only at his players but also at his assistant coaches.

Mike Cronin's statement didn't sit well with Jay Williams, who offered some context as to why the UCLA coach made those remarks in the first place. Williams pointed out that the fires in Los Angeles may have affected Cronin's mindset heading into the media briefing.

"He did get a notice before that press conference about his home in Encino and all the fires going on, and I think we do have to factor that into the volatility I think we’re seeing from Mick," Williams said (4:36).

That said, Williams still found fault in how Mick Cronin handled the aftermath of UCLA's loss to Michigan.

"Some of the things that Mick might have said could be accurate, but when you air out your grievances like that, I think it’s the wrong form to address your players in," Williams said (5:16).

"Now that you’re paying players, you have a lot of guys that are going to check out how you handle a lot of these things internally. I think it speaks volumes of the fact that he lacks the ability."

Williams concluded his take by saying that Cronin's actions during the press conference were unbecoming of a leader.

"I posted about it. I don’t like the commentary at all. That’s not how I would lead," Williams said (5:44).

"I think leaders stand in front of their players when things go bad. I think they stand behind them when things go well and that was a prime example of how not to lead."

Mick Cronin's woes continue as UCLA Bruins suffer third straight loss

Things went from bad to worse for Mick Cronin and the UCLA Bruins on Friday night as they suffered their third consecutive loss. Maryland piled more misery on UCLA, recording a 79-61 victory at XFINITY Center. The Bruins had no answer for Terrapins star Ja'Kobi Gillespie, who scored a game-high 27 points.

Coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins reacts during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on February 09, 2023, in Corvallis, Oregon. Photo: Getty

Cronin's frustration boiled over in the fourth quarter when he was ejected with 5:11 left in the contest. Referees issued two quick technical fouls to Cronin, who shook Maryland coach Kevin Willard's hand on his way out. The Bruins have now lost four of their last five games as their record dropped to 11-5.