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What to know about Akron Zips men's basketball head coach John Groce
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- What to know about Akron Zips men's basketball head coach John Groce
Akron Zips men's basketball coach John Groce guided his team to the program's seventh NCAA Tournament berth in history in 2025 with a second consecutive Mid-American Conference Tournament championship.
The Zips earned an automatic bid to March Madness after defeating No. 2 conference seed Miami (OH) in dramatic fashion in the MAC title game. They're now poised to face the University of Arizona Wildcats in the first round of the tourney.
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Groce was hired on as Akron Zips coach in April 2017, making the 2024-25 season his eighth at the helm in Northeast Ohio.
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The 2025 March Madness berth marks his third since taking over for longtime Akron Zips men's hoops coach and Akron native Keith Dambrot.
Here's what college basketball fans should know about the Zips' head coach.
Akron Zips basketball coach John Groce sees consistent success in the MAC
During the 2019-20 season, Groce guided Akron to a 24-7 record and a Mid-American Conference regular season title. Unfortunately for Groce and his Zips, they were not able to compete in the postseason of March Madness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Groce has now won five MAC Tournament championships total dating back to his time as head coach of Ohio (2010 and 2012). His Zips won their first MAC title under Groce in 2022, advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
Akron entered that tourney as a No. 13 seed matched up against No. 4 seed UCLA. The Zips lost that Round of 64 matchup by a slim 57-53 margin.
Akron Zips head coach John Groce smiles as he speaks to his team and fans during the Akron Zips' watch party for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show at James A. Rhodes Arena, Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Akron, Ohio.
His second MAC Tournament title with the Zips was a win against Wagon Wheel rival Kent State in 2024 that came down to a late, errant foul by the Golden Flashes.
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Entering the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Groce's tenure with Akron boasts a record of 168-87 over the course of his eight seasons.
Where did John Groce coach basketball before the Akron Zips?
Illinois' head coach John Groce reacts in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota at the Big Ten Conference tournament, Wednesday, March 9, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Prior to signing on with the Zips, Groce was the head coach at Illinois from 2012-2017. While with the Illini, Groce's teams averaged 19 wins per season and made postseason appearances in four of his five years in Champaign, boasting a 95-75 overall record.
Prior to that, Groce had his first taste of MAC success with Ohio (his first head coaching position at the collegiate level) from 2008-2012.
Before his time at Ohio, Groce served as an assistant coach for Taylor University (where Groce played and graduated from), NC State, Butler, Xavier and Ohio State.
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What is Akron Zips basketball coach John Groce's salary?
Akron coach John Groce proudly shows off the MAC Championship trophy after the Zips defeated Kent State in the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game Saturday in Cleveland.
In April 2022, the University of Akron extended Groce's contract through the 2029-30 season .
Groce's base salary of $650,000 remained the same, and, according to ESPN reporting , he can achieve retention bonuses of $75,000 in 2025 and 2028.
"He embodies Akron's ongoing commitment to the total development of our student-athletes," athletic director Charles Guthrie said at the time.
John Groce's brother Travis Steele is also an NCAA basketball coach
Groce's brother, Travis Steele , is the head men's basketball coach at Miami (OH).
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The 2024-25 season with the RedHawks was Steele's third at the helm.
John Groce has 3 children, oldest Conner played basketball at Revere High School
Revere's Conner Groce celebrates after a first-half shot against Barberton, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.
Groce and his wife Allison have three children — Conner, Camden and Cate.
Conner Groce, who is now a freshman with the Akron Zips, played basketball for Revere High School .
"For me, this is super enjoyable," John Groce said of watching his son Conner play a game for Revere against Barberton last year. "Unfortunately, with the way the MAC schedule is, I miss most of those opportunities. Whenever I get a chance to see him, it is pretty special, especially when he is a senior. I always try to remind him he is my favorite player. There isn't a player in the world that I enjoy watching play more than him."
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Now that the younger Groce suits up for Akron , it's fair to say his dad will have an easier time keeping up with his hoops habits.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips basketball coach John Groce among MAC's top coaches
