TAMPA, Fla. — Akron Zips men’s basketball coach John Groce understands college sports is a business, but he didn’t want to shift the focus to a discussion about his future on the heels of UA’s 91-71 loss to Texas Tech in a first-round Midwest Region matchup on Friday, March 20, at Benchmark International Arena.
Groce being linked by media to other head coaching jobs at Cincinnati, Butler and Boston College is a reflection of the success he has achieved in his nine seasons at the helm of Akron.
In a one-on-one interview after Akron was eliminated from March Madness, the Beacon Journal asked Groce whether he plans to interview elsewhere this offseason.
“What I would tell you is right now I’m not even thinking about that,” Groce said. “I don’t answer those questions, obviously, especially today when today’s the day about our five seniors. This whole deal should be all about them and all about the team and the success that we’ve had. So, that’s my comment at this time.”
‘He’s meant everything.’ John Groce makes big impact with Akron Zips basketball
During Groce’s Akron tenure, he 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 Dambrot (305-139 from 2005-17) and Russell Beichly (288-144 from 1941-59).
Simply put, Groce is among the best mid-major coaches in the nation.
“He’s meant everything,” Akron senior point guard Tavari Johnson said. “He’s believed in me from the start, built great confidence in me. He wants to see me succeed off the court, and I can tell it’s really genuine. It’s true love. I’m forever in debt with him, and I’ll forever have a crazy amount of love for John Groce. He really changed my life.”
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.
This year, Akron became the first men’s team to three-peat as the MAC Tournament champion and just the second to win four MAC tourney crowns in five seasons. UA also set the the single-season program record for wins in 2025-26, when the Zips finished 29-6. They also went 17-1 in the MAC for the second consecutive season, tying Kent State’s 2001-02 team for the best single-season record in conference play during the modern era.
“He’s one of the best coaches in the country, an amazing mentor on and off the court,” Akron senior guard Bowen Hardman said. “He’s just full of energy, not just in the game of basketball, but in life. And growing as a man, he’s definitely taught me a lot, and I know he’s definitely meant a lot for the university and the program.”
Groce, 54, has been a head coach for 18 seasons, racking up a career record of 377-225, including 4-7 in the NCAA Tournament.
Before Akron, Groce coached 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.
In 2025, Akron extended Groce’s contract until June 30, 2035. His base salary and supplemental compensation combines for $850,000 a year.
Groce’s oldest son, Conner, joined the Zips in 2024 as a walk-on after graduating from Revere High School and remains on the roster.
Akron is hopeful it can retain Groce for a 10th season, yet the business of college sports must play out.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron coach John Groce ‘not even thinking about’ job market after loss
Reporting by Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
