Akron Coach John Groce Reflects on Career Milestones and NCAA Tournament Hopes John Groce, the head coach of the Akron Zips, is preparing for his fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years, with hopes of making a deep run this season. The 54-year-old coach, who was fired from the University of Illinois in 2017, has led Akron to a remarkable run of success in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), including three consecutive tournament titles over the past three seasons. As the Zips gear up for their first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against No. 5 seed Texas Tech, Groce is reflecting on his journey and the lessons learned from his time at Illinois. Groce’s tenure at Illinois was marked by challenges, including a low winning percentage in both the Big Ten and overall (.411 and .559, respectively), which were the worst since Lou Henson took over in 1975. Despite these struggles, Groce remains grateful for the experience, stating, “I’m always open-minded” about future opportunities, though he has yet to secure a new coaching position. His time at Illinois also shaped his coaching philosophy, emphasizing accountability and emotional intelligence. “Through experience, you learn,” he said, noting that his focus has shifted from high-intensity energy to a balance of passion and emotional quotient (EQ). At Akron, Groce has transformed the team’s style of play, moving from a slower, more traditional approach to a faster, more free-flowing system. The Zips have thrived under his leadership, posting a stellar 100-28 record in MAC play over the last seven seasons and a 34-2 mark in the past two years. Their home-court dominance is equally impressive, with 31 straight wins at the Rubber Bowl and 43 of the last 45 games against MAC opponents.#university_of_illinois #john_groce #akron_zips #mid_americans_confederation #rubber_bowl
