John Groce has firmly established himself as a prominent figure in college basketball, particularly through his transformative leadership of the Akron Zips. Appointed as the 22nd head coach on April 6, 2017, Groce has consistently elevated the Zips program, achieving remarkable milestones and fostering a culture of winning. Over his seven seasons at Akron, he has compiled an impressive 140-81 overall record, with a particularly dominant 85-39 mark in the last four seasons. His impact within the Mid-American Conference (MAC) is undeniable, boasting an 81-48 record and a staggering 52-22 record in the last three years, securing the best winning percentage in the league at .743.
Groce’s coaching philosophy extends beyond just wins and losses. He is deeply committed to building “championship caliber teams and all-around successful young men.” The program’s mission, “to be impactful,” and the unifying vision, “OneAkron,” resonate throughout the team and the community. Groce often emphasizes the importance of collective effort, famously stating, “It takes a village.” This holistic approach to coaching, focusing on both athletic and personal development, has been a cornerstone of his success.
Recent Triumphs and NCAA Tournament Appearances
The 2023-24 season stands as a testament to Groce’s leadership and the team’s dedication. He guided the Zips to a Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, culminating in a 24-11 overall record and a 13-5 conference record – their first title since 2022. The MAC Championship game saw a thrilling victory against rival Kent State (62-61), propelling the Zips to the NCAA Tournament. In the national tournament, they faced Creighton in the First Round in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This season also saw significant individual accolades for Groce’s players. Enrique Freeman was recognized as the MAC Player of the Year, earned a place on the All-MAC First Team, and was named to the All-MAC defensive team. Ali Ali also secured a spot on the All-MAC First Team, while Greg Tribble received All-MAC Defensive Team honors and an Honorable Mention All-MAC.
Developing NBA-Caliber Talent: The Rise of Enrique Freeman
Under John Groce’s tutelage, Enrique Freeman achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Akron Zip selected in the modern two-round NBA Draft era and the first since 1987. Freeman’s exceptional performance earned him an honorable mention All-American recognition from the Associated Press. He was also named a top five finalist for the Karl Malone Award, a finalist for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award, and included on the prestigious Oscar Robertson All-American list. Freeman’s development into a potential NBA player underscores Groce’s ability to nurture and elevate talent within his program.
Consistent Success and Championship Pedigree
The 2022-23 season further solidified Groce’s consistent success at Akron. The Zips finished third in the MAC, reaching the semifinals before falling to Kent State. They concluded the season with a 22-11 overall record, a 13-5 conference record, and an impressive 15-1 home record. Xavier Castaneda and Enrique Freeman were named to the All-MAC First Team that season, while Greg Tribble and Freeman again earned All-MAC Defensive Team honors. Freeman was also recognized as a Top 10 nominee for the Karl Malone Award, highlighting his consistent excellence.
In 2022, John Groce led the Akron basketball program to the 2022 MAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship, marking their fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in program history. As a No. 13 seed, they faced No. 4 seed UCLA Bruins in the First Round of the East Region in Portland, Oregon. Although the Zips lost 57-53, their journey to the tournament was marked by an eight-game winning streak, including victories in the last five regular season games and all three MAC Tournament games. The team finished the season with a strong 24-10 overall record and a 14-6 league record.
The 2020 season saw the Zips match the best regular season record in program history at 24-7. Groce guided the team to five consecutive Mid-American Conference Tournaments, earning the No. 4 seed and achieving victories over Buffalo, Toledo, and Kent State to win the tournament. Akron secured the No. 1 seed in 2020, although the 2020 MAC Tournament was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Coaching Career Spanning Decades
John Groce’s 27-year coaching career is marked by consistent postseason appearances. In 24 opportunities, his teams have reached the postseason 19 times, securing six regular season conference championships, eight conference tournament championships, and notable NCAA Tournament runs, including a National Runner-up, an Elite Eight, a Sweet Sixteen, and seven Round of 32 appearances. His teams have consistently demonstrated excellence both on the court and in the classroom, reflecting his commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes.
Prior Head Coaching Roles: Illinois and Ohio University
Before his tenure at Akron, Groce served as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Illinois for five seasons. During his time with the Illini, he maintained an average of 19 wins per season, leading the team to postseason appearances in four out of five years and compiling a 95-75 record.
Prior to Illinois, Groce spent four successful seasons as head coach at Ohio University. He led the Bobcats to an 85-56 overall record and secured Mid-American Conference Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in both 2010 and 2012.
Ohio University’s 2012 NCAA Tournament run was particularly memorable. As a No. 13 seed, they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with victories over No. 4 seed Michigan and No. 12 seed South Florida. They narrowly missed an Elite Eight appearance, losing to No. 1 seed North Carolina in overtime in the regional semifinal. This Sweet Sixteen run was only the second in Ohio’s school history and the first time since 1964 that the Bobcats won multiple NCAA Tournament games. Ohio concluded the 2012 season with a school-record 29 wins, recognized for their strong pressure defense, ranking second nationally in turnover percentage and third in steals percentage.
In 2010, Ohio also made waves in the NCAA Tournament. As a No. 14 seed, they defeated No. 3 seed Georgetown in their first tournament game in five years. With these performances, Ohio became only the sixth school ever to win NCAA Tournament games as both a 13 and 14 seed, highlighting Groce’s ability to prepare his teams for high-stakes competition regardless of seeding.
Early Career and Assistant Coaching Success
Groce’s first head-coaching job at Ohio followed four seasons as part of Thad Matta’s staff at Ohio State from 2005-08. He served as assistant coach for two years and associate head coach for the subsequent two. During his time in Columbus, the Buckeyes achieved a remarkable 105-35 record, reached the NCAA Championship game in 2007, advanced to the second round in 2006, and claimed back-to-back Big Ten Championships in 2006 and 2007, and won the NIT in 2008.
John Groce played a crucial role in recruiting top talent to Ohio State and was recognized as Rivals’ 2006 National Recruiter of the Year. His early career success as an assistant coach laid the foundation for his later achievements as a head coach.
The John Groce File: A Summary of a Distinguished Career
| YEAR-BY-YEAR COACHING RECORD | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | School | Overall | Conference | Postseason | ||
| W | L | Pct. | W | L | ||
| 2008-09 | Ohio | 15 | 17 | 0.469 | 7 | 9 |
| 2009-10 | Ohio | 22 | 15 | 0.595 | 7 | 9 |
| 2010-11 | Ohio | 19 | 16 | 0.543 | 9 | 7 |
| 2011-12 | Ohio | 29 | 8 | 0.784 | 11 | 5 |
| 4 seasons | 85 | 56 | 0.603 | 34 | 30 | |
| 2012-13 | Illinois | 23 | 13 | 0.639 | 8 | 10 |
| 2013-14 | Illinois | 20 | 15 | 0.571 | 7 | 11 |
| 2014-15 | Illinois | 19 | 14 | 0.576 | 9 | 9 |
| 2015-16 | Illinois | 15 | 19 | 0.441 | 5 | 13 |
| 2016-17 | Illinois | 18 | 14 | 0.563 | 8 | 10 |
| 5 seasons | 97 | 76 | 0.561 | 37 | 53 | |
| 2017-18 | Akron | 14 | 18 | 0.438 | 6 | 12 |
| 2018-19 | Akron | 17 | 16 | 0.515 | 8 | 10 |
| 2019-20 | Akron | 24 | 7 | 0.770 | 14 | 4 |
| 2020-21 | Akron | 15 | 8 | 0.652 | 12 | 6 |
| 2021-22 | Akron | 24 | 10 | 0.706 | 14 | 6 |
| 2022-23 | Akron | 22 | 11 | 0.667 | 13 | 5 |
| 2023-24 | Akron | 24 | 11 | 0.686 | 13 | 5 |
| 7 Seasons | 140 | 81 | 0.634 | 80 | 48 | |
| CAREER TOTALS | 16 yrs. | 322 | 213 | 0.602 | 151 | 131 |
| COACHING EXPERIENCE | |
|---|---|
| 2018-present | Akron, Head Coach |
| 2013-17 | Illinois, Head Coach |
| 2009-12 | Ohio, Head Coach |
| 2007-08 | Ohio State, Associate Head Coach |
| 2005-06 | Ohio State, Assistant Coach |
| 2002-04 | Xavier, Assistant Coach |
| 2001 | Butler, Assistant Coach |
| 1997-00 | N.C. State, Assistant Coach |
| 1994-96 | Taylor, Assistant Coach |
| BIRTHDATE | EDUCATION |
| Sept. 7, 1971 | Taylor University, B.S. in mathematics, 1994 |
| HOMETOWN | COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER |
| Danville, Ind. | 1991-93 Basketball (Taylor) |
| FAMILY | |
| Wife- Allison | |
| Children- Conner, Camden, and Cate |
John Groce’s career is a testament to his dedication, strategic acumen, and ability to build winning programs. From his early days as an assistant coach to his current success at Akron, Groce has consistently demonstrated his expertise in college basketball. His focus on player development, combined with his commitment to team success, positions him as a respected and accomplished coach in the landscape of college basketball.
