"There's a lot of people who have lost everything": UCLA HC Mick Cronin on aftermath of Southern California fires

UCLA coach Mick Cronin expressed concern over the devastating wildfires sweeping through parts of Southern California. Cronin ended his postgame conference after his team's 75-68 loss to Rutgers on Monday by offering his thoughts on the ongoing crisis.

"No words, I just want to get home — want to get home to my family," Cronin said (4:53). "It's tough while this is all going on, and you're not around your family. Just making sure people are safe in times like this. So really, really hard."

Thousands of homes have already been destroyed by the wildfires, which have forced many residents to evacuate their neighborhoods.

A reporter asked Mick Cronin whether his family had previously had to evacuate due to the wildfires.

"They did, but they're back for now," the coach said. "Look, there's a lot of people who have lost everything. So, you know, it's just horrible. I was telling (Rutgers) Coach (Steve) Pikiell, he was asking me, I said, it's just like something from a movie. It's hard to even describe, you know. So hard to process it."

The Rutgers team, coaching staff and fans also extended their thoughts and prayers by observing a moment of silence for the victims of the wildfires before the game started. Some fans were seen holding signs with messages of support.

Mick Cronin feeling the heat as UCLA's struggles continue

Mick Cronin is dealing with more than just his team's ongoing struggles on the court. The sixth-year UCLA coach is also grappling with the threat of potentially having to evacuate his home due to the raging wildfires in Los Angeles.

The Bruins' loss to struggling Rutgers (9-8, 2-4 Big Ten) on Monday night marked their fourth straight defeat.

While the team's performance has been disappointing, Mick Cronin made it clear after the loss at Maryland on Friday that the devastating wildfires are his top priority right now.

"Man, listen. My house is getting real close to being evacuated, like I have no idea what you’re talking about," Cronin said when asked about the team's struggles.

"You don’t live where we live. It is literally an unbelievably horrible situation. We lost the other night, and I went home and packed. Bags are still at the door of my house, valuables and things like that."

However, there has already been speculation regarding Cronin's future at UCLA if the Bruins' losing skid continues. The team was 10-1 and ranked No. 18 till mid-December before the slide. The defeat to North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic was the first domino to fall, leading to the current downward spiral.