What Happened to John Gordon Groce?
John Groce is an American college basketball coach known for his successful tenures at Ohio University and the University of Akron. After leading Ohio to a Sweet Sixteen appearance, he coached Illinois for five seasons before taking over at Akron in 2017, where he achieved significant success, including multiple MAC championships and NCAA Tournament bids. As of late March 2026, Groce is reportedly in negotiations to become the head coach for the College of Charleston men's basketball team.
Quick Answer
John Groce, a prominent college basketball coach, is currently (as of March 30, 2026) reportedly in negotiations to become the head coach of the College of Charleston men's basketball team. This follows a highly successful nine-year stint as the head coach of the Akron Zips, where he led the team to four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last five years, including MAC Tournament championships in 2022, 2024, and 2026, and regular season titles in 2020 and 2025. He was also recognized with the Hugh Durham Award in 2025.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Begins Coaching Career
John Groce starts his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Taylor University.
Named National Recruiter of the Year
While an assistant coach at Ohio State, Groce is named Rivals' National Recruiter of the Year.
Hired as Head Coach at Ohio University
Groce secures his first head coaching position at Ohio University, where he would lead the Bobcats for four seasons.
Leads Ohio to NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Groce guides the Ohio Bobcats to a memorable run in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet Sixteen as a No. 13 seed.
Becomes Head Coach at University of Illinois
Following his success at Ohio, Groce is hired as the 17th men's basketball coach at the University of Illinois.
Dismissed from Illinois
After five seasons, Groce is relieved of his duties as head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Hired as Head Coach at University of Akron
Groce is named the 22nd head coach of the Akron Zips men's basketball team.
Akron Wins MAC Regular Season Title
Groce leads the Akron Zips to a Mid-American Conference regular season championship, though the MAC Tournament is canceled due to COVID-19.
Akron Wins MAC Tournament, Advances to NCAA Tournament
The Zips win the MAC Tournament Championship, defeating rival Kent State, and secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Akron Wins MAC Tournament, Advances to NCAA Tournament
Groce again leads Akron to the MAC Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Wins Hugh Durham Award and MAC Regular Season Title
John Groce is named the recipient of the Hugh Durham Award as the nation's top mid-major coach, and Akron wins the MAC regular season championship.
Signs Long-Term Extension with Akron
Groce signs a contract extension with the University of Akron, intended to keep him as head coach until 2035.
Named Hugh Durham Award Finalist
For the second consecutive year, Groce is named a finalist for the Hugh Durham National Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award.
Akron Wins Third Straight MAC Tournament Title
Groce leads the Akron Zips to their third consecutive MAC Tournament Championship, securing another NCAA Tournament bid.
Reportedly in Negotiations with College of Charleston
Reports emerge that John Groce is in negotiations to accept the head coaching position at the College of Charleston.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
John Gordon Groce, born on September 7, 1971, has carved out a notable career in college basketball coaching, primarily known for his ability to build competitive programs at the mid-major level. His coaching journey began as an assistant at his alma mater, Taylor University, in 1993, followed by stints at North Carolina State, Butler, Xavier, and Ohio State, where he was named Rivals' 2006 National Recruiter of the Year.
Groce earned his first head coaching position at Ohio University in 2008. During his four seasons with the Bobcats, he compiled an 85-56 record, leading them to two Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2010 and 2012. The 2012 run was particularly memorable, as Ohio, a No. 13 seed, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to top-seeded North Carolina in overtime.
His success at Ohio led to a move to the Big Ten Conference, where he was named the head coach of the University of Illinois in March 2012. Over five seasons with the Fighting Illini, Groce achieved a 95-75 record, making postseason appearances in four of those years. However, after failing to consistently contend for Big Ten championships, he was relieved of his duties in March 2017.
Just days after his dismissal from Illinois, Groce was hired as the head coach of the Akron Zips in April 2017, marking a significant turning point in his career. At Akron, Groce revitalized the program, leading the Zips to consistent success in the Mid-American Conference. Under his leadership, Akron secured MAC regular season championships in 2020 and 2025, and MAC Tournament titles in 2022, 2024, and 2026. These tournament victories propelled the Zips to four NCAA Tournament appearances in a five-year span, a remarkable achievement for a mid-major program. His coaching acumen was further recognized when he received the prestigious Hugh Durham Award in 2025, an honor given to the nation's top mid-major head coach, and was named a finalist again in 2026.
As of March 30, 2026, Groce's tenure at Akron appears to be concluding. Despite signing a long-term extension with Akron in April 2025, intended to keep him with the Zips until 2035, reports indicate he is in negotiations to accept the head coaching position at the College of Charleston. This potential move highlights his continued demand in the college basketball landscape, with Charleston seeking to build on its recent success in the Coastal Athletic Association.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if John Gordon Groce made different choices?