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The Akron Zips men's basketball team could soon enter a new era because ESPN reported on March 28 coach John Groce has emerged as the top target in Charleston's head coaching search.
The report by ESPN's Jeff Borzello also states a hire is not done and steps remain for Groce and Chareston in the next 24 hours, but there is mutual interest between the two sides.
More March Madness: Akron Zips threaten Texas Tech in NCAA Tournament before falling apart
In nine seasons at the helm of Akron, Groce has compiled a record of 197-94, including 114-50 in the Mid-American Conference. He is ranked third in program history for most wins, trailing only Akron native Keith Dambrot (305-139 from 2005-17) and Russell Beichly (288-144 from 1941-59).
The Zips won four MAC Tournament titles (2022, '24, '25 and '26) and thereby advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times in a span of five years under Groce. They lost in the first round each time, falling 57-53 to fourth-seeded UCLA as a No. 13 seed on March 17, 2022, 77-60 to third-seeded Creighton as a No. 14 seed on March 21, 2024, 93-65 to fourth-seeded Arizona as a No. 13 seed on March 21, 2025, and 91-71 to fifth-seeded Texas Tech as a No. 12 seed on March 20.
Akron basketball column: March Madness reaffirms Zips can build with Eric Mahaffey | Opinion
The 54-year-old Groce has been a head coach for 18 seasons. He has a career record of 377-225, including 4-7 in the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to Akron, Groce has been a head coach at Ohio (85-56 from 2008-12) and Illinois (95-75 from 2012-17). Groce led Ohio into March Madness twice and Illinois once. In 2012, Ohio advanced to the Sweet 16 as a No. 13 seed under Groce.
Last year, Akron extended Groce's contract until June 30, 2035. His base salary and supplemental compensation combines for $850,000 a year.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron basketball coach John Groce top target at Charleston
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The report by ESPN's Jeff Borzello also states a hire is not done and steps remain for Groce and Chareston in the next 24 hours, but there is mutual interest between the two sides.
More March Madness: Akron Zips threaten Texas Tech in NCAA Tournament before falling apart
In nine seasons at the helm of Akron, Groce has compiled a record of 197-94, including 114-50 in the Mid-American Conference. He is ranked third in program history for most wins, trailing only Akron native Keith Dambrot (305-139 from 2005-17) and Russell Beichly (288-144 from 1941-59).
The Zips won four MAC Tournament titles (2022, '24, '25 and '26) and thereby advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times in a span of five years under Groce. They lost in the first round each time, falling 57-53 to fourth-seeded UCLA as a No. 13 seed on March 17, 2022, 77-60 to third-seeded Creighton as a No. 14 seed on March 21, 2024, 93-65 to fourth-seeded Arizona as a No. 13 seed on March 21, 2025, and 91-71 to fifth-seeded Texas Tech as a No. 12 seed on March 20.
Akron basketball column: March Madness reaffirms Zips can build with Eric Mahaffey | Opinion
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The 54-year-old Groce has been a head coach for 18 seasons. He has a career record of 377-225, including 4-7 in the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to Akron, Groce has been a head coach at Ohio (85-56 from 2008-12) and Illinois (95-75 from 2012-17). Groce led Ohio into March Madness twice and Illinois once. In 2012, Ohio advanced to the Sweet 16 as a No. 13 seed under Groce.
Last year, Akron extended Groce's contract until June 30, 2035. His base salary and supplemental compensation combines for $850,000 a year.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron basketball coach John Groce top target at Charleston
Continue reading...
