UCLA's Mick Cronin reprimanded by Pac-12 for saying officials 'took the first half off' vs. UNC

Not even two months into Mick Cronin's coaching career in the Pac-12, the league had to step in and remind him of its policy regarding public comments on officials. 

After Cronin's UCLA Bruins fell to the North Carolina Tar Heels 74-64 in Las Vegas on Saturday, the former Cincinnati coach told reporters he thought the difference in officiating between the first and second half was noticeable.

"In defense of my players, I thought that the officials took the first half off," Cronin said, according to the Los Angeles Times. " … North Carolina won, so don’t misconstrue what I’m saying. The game was officiated two separate halves. All you got to do is look at the fouls per half." 

On Monday, the league announced it had "reprimanded" Cronin for those comments. 

"The Pac-12 membership has established rules that prohibit our coaches from publicly commenting about officiating," commissioner Larry Scott said. "We have an obligation to our members to enforce approved conference rules. As a part of our officiating program, there is a protocol in place for our coaches to provide feedback directly to the coordinator of officials."

The Bruins are off to a 7-5 start in the Cronin era.