Zips basketball coach Dustin Ford says John Groce prepped him for helm

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Zips basketball coach Dustin Ford says John Groce prepped him for helm

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Wed, Apr 1, 2026 ·

8 min read

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Dustin Ford will no longer have John Groce with him on the University of Akron sideline, so the men who have dedicated their lives to coaching basketball should receive a break from arguing like what Ford described as "a married couple."

Hey, bickering can happen among close friends who are brutally honest with each other.

"We'd get into arguments and walk out of the room and may be mad for a couple of minutes," Ford, a native of Cambridge, Ohio, told the Beacon Journal by phone on March 31. "But at the end of the day, guess what? We both had the same goal and the same mission in mind.

"I'm going to miss working for John. I'm going to miss being around John. Just a great human being, great coach. It'll be hard. But at the end of the day, in life, all good things come to an end, unfortunately. And when one door closes, another one opens."

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Akron vs. Texas Tech men's basketball, NCAA tournament photos

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) drives against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) moves across the court against Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) dribbles against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips head coach John Groce calls timeout in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) rebounds against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Josiah Moseley (5) shoots against Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4), forward Amani Lyles (0) and Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) chase a loose ball in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) passes in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) chase a loose ball in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) and guard Christian Anderson (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips cheerleaders in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Zach Halligan (21) looks to pass against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) defends Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) drives against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) drives against Akron Zips guard Zach Halligan (21) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) blocks Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) drives against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland in the first half against the Akron Zips during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland yells in the first half against the Akron Zips during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Tyeree Bryan (1) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) dribbles against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Josiah Moseley (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Tyeree Bryan (1) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) reacts after a basket against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) drives against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) defends Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) drives against Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) and forward Lejuan Watts (3) defend Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) shoots against Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Dustin Ford explains how John Groce helped make him '100% confident' he's ready to be Akron Zips basketball's head coach

The door closed on Akron's Groce era when the legendary Zips men's basketball coach left the program for a job at the College of Charleston on March 30. Later the same day, UA opened the door to the Ford era by hiring him as Groce's successor.

Ford and Groce had been together for all 18 seasons of Groce's head coaching career, four at Ohio (2008-12), five at Illinois (2012-17) and nine at Akron (2017-26).

Zips sports: Inside Akron basketball's head coaching change with John Groce and Andrew T. Goodrich

Now Ford, 47, is a college head coach for the first time.

"For the last probably 10 to 12 years, this is what I've thought about, and this is how I've come to work every day," Ford said. "I tried to be an assistant for John, but I tried to think like a head coach because I think that's what a good assistant does. And John allowed me to grow because John gave me a lot of responsibility.

"I've always had people ask me, 'You guys have been together so long — why?' I had [head coaching] opportunities, a lot throughout the years. But John let me be me, and John let me coach, and not all head coaches let their assistants coach at the level John let me. I'm thankful for that. And because he did that, I'm 100% confident I'm ready."

Dustin Ford coaches the University of Akron men's basketball team during the 2025-26 season.

The dynamic between Ford and Groce also gave Akron athletic director Andrew T. Goodrich faith in Ford's readiness to ascend to the helm.

"I'm incredibly comfortable, and, actually, part of that is a credit to John Groce because John Groce is a good teacher," Goodrich said. "John and Dustin, watch them on the sidelines. Those guys are working together. They are coaching together. I watched it very close because I thought, 'Gosh, if [Groce leaves], I need to be prepared.' So this was basically an on-the-job evaluation. You could see John was coaching up Dustin and has him ready. I'm absolutely certain he's ready."

Ford conceded coaching in high school isn't the same as coaching in college, yet he considers his four years at the helm of Jackson High School basketball (2002-05) in Jackson, Ohio, valuable because it forced him to learn how to deal with people — teenagers and their parents — when he was in his early 20s. He then became an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Western Carolina (2006-08) before beginning his partnership with Groce at Ohio.

Kent State's John Callaway, left, attempts to gain control of the ball under pressure from Ohio's Dustin Ford during a Mid-American Conference game on March 2, 1999.

New Charleston basketball coach John Groce says his longtime assistant Dustin Ford has 'always operated like' a head coach

Ford also spent his Mid-American Conference playing days at Ohio (1997-2001). He averaged 7.5 points, 2.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in four seasons with the Bobcats. His older brother, Geno Ford, was an Ohio player and assistant. He is the head coach at Stony Brook and has held the top job at Kent State (2008-11) and Bradley (2011-15).

"I made the most of my ability," Dustin Ford said. "I was really good at fouling people and yelling double-team when I threw the ball in the post, so they'd have to throw it out and I could shoot one because I couldn't get a shot on my own."

Akron men's basketball news: UA hires Dustin Ford as Zips head coach

For years, Groce has viewed his self-deprecating, right-hand man as a future head coach.

"I think he's always operated like one," Groce said of Ford. "It's been great to have him alongside. He's always had that tool set, that skill set, if you will, and probably could have had [head coaching] opportunities prior. But, obviously, we stayed together and had an unbelievable run."

Akron went 29-6, including 17-1 in the MAC, during the 2025-26 season and became the first men's basketball team to three-peat as a MAC Tournament champion. UA won the MAC tourney in four of the past five seasons — Buffalo is the only other team in the conference to achieve the feat — and thereby punched its ticket to March Madness in 2022 and 2024-26. The Zips fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament each time.

Akron Zips coach John Groce gives an official an earful during the Mid-American Conference championship game against Toledo on March 14, 2026, in Cleveland.

Another legendary Akron coach, Keith Dambrot, took the Zips to March Madness three times. Groce succeeded Dambrot in 2017 and guided the Zips to unprecedented success.

"Keith laid a foundation that was impressive, and obviously following Keith was really, really tough," Ford said. "Then John comes in and throws a house up on that foundation that was extremely solid. I've got this foundation. It's awesome. I've got this house. It's beautiful. Now it's my turn to figure out what I could do with it. Obviously, I'm going to be my own person and be who I am and coach and lead the way I know how.

"There may be a couple rooms that get remodeled. There may be a TV hung up in another room and mounted. But at the end of the day, the core of who we've been for the last 24, 25 years is not going to change. And that's a bunch of guys that are tough and competitive and play for the name on the front of the jersey and not on the back. I'm thankful that I'm following two guys that are absolute legends and Hall of Fame-type coaches at Akron."

Akron Zips assistant coach Dustin Ford (right) advises head coach John Groce in the first half against Texas Tech in a NCAA Tournament first-round game, March 20, 2026, in Tampa.

New Akron Zips men's basketball coach Dustin Ford views Fear the Roo Collective founder Bud Wentz 'like a brother'

Still, even great coaches need quality players to succeed. And it's why Ford's alignment with local businessman Bud Wentz and the Fear the Roo Collective founded by Wentz is important. Nowadays, rosters are built and maintained through ubiquitous name, image and likeness deals.

"My relationship with Bud is great," Ford said. "Bud's one of my best friends. He lives down the street. I spend a lot of time with him. I love Bud like a brother, and I know Bud's going to be here to help us any way he can like he has in the previous years. It's kind of funny to be honest. A lot of coaches in our league know who Bud is, so that tells you the impact he's had. In fact, I've had some coaches in joking manners at times look at me and say [about Wentz], 'Hey, there's the MVP of the league.'

"He's been a huge part of our success because [NIL] allows you to retain players, allows you to attract really, really talented players and hence you have a really talented roster. And then if you do your part as a coaching staff, you're going to get the result that we've been able to get here. … Bud was ahead of all this NIL stuff before anyone else in our league was. He's been the trendsetter in our league. We've set the bar in our league. People are chasing us in that area, and that's because of Bud."

Bud Wentz of Wentz Financial Group, left, chats with Akron Zips coach John Groce after the Zips won the Mid-American Conference championship, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland,.

The NCAA transfer portal will open for college basketball players on April 7 and remain open for 15 days. Guards Eric Mahaffey and Sharron Young are notable Zips players with remaining eligibility whom Akron hopes to retain.

With Ford taking the torch from Groce, at least UA has a head coach its players know.

"I think it helps, right?" Ford said. "But in today's climate, you never know. I think it'll clearly give us an upper hand on retaining some guys. I've had the ability here to meet with the majority of them, some of them over the phone, some of them face to face.

"We've had good conversations. Our guys know where I stand and what my expectations are, and I think that'll help. But, obviously, guys have to make a decision. At the University of Akron, not only the athletic program, we want guys who want to be here."

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 Zips basketball coach Dustin Ford shares outlook on his new job

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