Cronic grew up in Hull, Georgia, and attended Madison County High School.
After Cronic graduated from Georgia, he served in the United States Army as a lieutenant in special services.
[2] After Cronic's college playing career ended, he served as a graduate assistant for his alma mater, Georgia, in 1969 under his head coach Vince Dooley.
[2] After his discharge from the Army he joined Cherokee High School as an assistant to Bobby Pate.
[10] In his last season, 1983, he led his team to a 14–1 record with their only loss coming in the state championship against Tift County.
[10][11] He coached future National Football League (NFL) draft pick Nate Hill.
[10] In Cronic's lone season alongside head coach Bobby Pate, the team finished with a 3–8 record.
[1] In 1990, Cronic was hired as the head football coach for East Coweta High School.