Update >>We hear this is now a done deal. Cronic is the new head coach of the Mercer program.
Mercer is negotiating with Lenoir-Rhyne head coach Drew Cronic to become their new head coach, sources told FootballScoop on Monday. A deal could be reached as early as tomorrow sources tell FootballScoop.
Cronic is currently the head coach at Lenoir-Rhyne, a Division II school in Hickory, N.C. He led the Bears to a 13-1 record with a South Atlantic Conference championship and an appearance in the Division II regional finals.
Cronic took over a 3-win Lenoir-Rhyne team an immediately led them to a 9-win turnaround. After dropping his first game on the job, Cronic then won 12 straight games, taking the 2018 SAC title and appearing in the Division II regional finals.
Overall, Cronic went 25-3 in two seasons on the job.
He was named the AFCA National Coach of the Year in Division II in 2018.
Prior to Lenoir-Rhyne, Cronic was the offensive coordinator at Furman.
Mercer, also nicknamed the Bears, went 4-8 this fall. Mercer is a SoCon bunkmate of Furman's; Furman won the 2019 meeting, 45-10, on Sept. 21.
Cronic will take over for Bobby Lamb, who was let go on Nov. 24. Lamb brought the Mercer football program back after a 72-year hiatus and went 41-39 in seven seasons.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.