The University of Akron on Wednesday selected former Illinois and Ohio coach John Groce to lead the men’s basketball program.
Groce, 45, who reportedly will receive a six-year contract, will be introduced at a news conference at 11 a.m. Thursday.
“From the enviable position of much sustained success in our men’s basketball program, we concentrated our search on finding a Division I coach with a proven track record of excellence, winning, and postseason appearances, combined with a focus on academics and discipline. Coach Groce has that combination.” UA director of athletics Larry Williams said.
Groce replaces former Zips coach Keith Dambrot, who last week accepted the coaching position at Duquesne.
Groce led the Illini to a 2013 NCAA Tournament appearance in his first year at the school, but the team missed the tournament in each season since. At Ohio, he never won the Mid-American Conference regular-season title but made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament, leading his 2011-12 team to the Sweet 16.
Overall, Groce has compiled a 180-131 record — 95-75 at Illinois and 85-56 at Ohio. He began his career as an assistant at his alma mater, NAIA Taylor University, before working his way to the Division I ranks as an assistant at North Carolina State, Butler, Xavier and Ohio State before landing the top job at Ohio.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Zips blog at www.ohio.com/zips. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GeorgeThomasABJ.