Akron Zips men's basketball coach John Groce agrees to another contract extension
John Groce has parlayed his success as the University of Akron men's basketball coach into another contract extension.
Groce agreed to a one-year extension to be added to a previously approved 10-year extension to be the Zips coach through the 2034-35 season, the school announced in a release Tuesday morning. The extension must be approved by the board of trustees.
Advertisement
Akron's announcement comes a week after the Beacon Journal submitted a public records request April 1 for any updates to Groce's contractual status.
"Coach Groce has demonstrated remarkable leadership and an unwavering commitment to excellence throughout his tenure at The University of Akron," UA President R.J. Nemer said in the release. "His success on the court is matched by his dedication to developing student-athletes who excel academically and represent our university with integrity and pride. We are thrilled to continue this journey with Coach Groce as he leads our basketball program to new heights."
Groce has compiled a record of 168-88, including 97-49 in the Mid-American Conference, since he was hired as Akron's coach on April 6, 2017. Groce is ranked fourth in program history for most wins, trailing only Akron native Keith Dambrot (305-139 from 2005-17), Russell Beichly (288-144 from 1941-59) and Tony Laterza (178-59 from 1960-68).
"I want to thank the Board of Trustees, President R.J. Nemer and Interim Athletic Director Dr. Matt Juravich for the commitment they have shown our program," Groce said in the release. "The extension reflects the contributions of many. We are very grateful and blessed by the extraordinary efforts of our student-athletes, staff, support staff, athletic department, alumni/donors/fans and the Fear the Roo Collective. We are beyond excited to continue building on the tradition of excellence and to compete for championships. Go Zips!"
Advertisement
Akron set the single-season program record for wins in 2024-25, when the Zips finished 28-7. They also went 17-1 in the MAC, tying Kent State's 2001-02 team for the best single-season record in conference play during the modern era.
The Zips have won two MAC regular-season championships (2020 and 2025) and three MAC Tournament titles (2022, 2024 and 2025) to advance to the NCAA Tournament three times under Groce. Akron lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament each time — 57-53 to fourth-seeded UCLA as a No. 13 seed in 2022, 77-60 to third-seeded Creighton as a 14 seed in 2024, and 93-65 to fourth-seeded Arizona as a 13 seed this year.
"Coach Groce exemplifies Akron in every way," Juravich said in the release. "He has built an all encompassing championship culture and we look forward to continued growth and success in the program."
Akron beat Kent State 75-55 in the 2022 MAC Tournament final and 62-61 in the 2024 MAC Tournament final, and topped Miami 76-74 in the 2025 MAC Tournament final.
Akron Zips coach John Groce lifts the Mid-American Conference championship trophy after beating Miami, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Cleveland.
John Groce's coaching record
Groce, 53, has been a college head coach for 17 seasons, compiling up a career record of 348-219, including 4-6 in the NCAA Tournament. He was named the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year in 2025.
Advertisement
Before Akron, Groce coached Ohio (85-56 from 2008-12) and Illinois (95-75 from 2012-17). Groce led Ohio into March Madness twice and Illinois once. In 2012, Ohio advanced to the Sweet 16 as a No. 13 seed, defeating Michigan 65-60 and South Florida 62-56 before losing 73-65 to North Carolina.
In 2022, Akron extended Groce's contract through the 2029-30 season. His base salary was $650,000.
Akron Zips coach John Groce celebrates during the first half of the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game March 15, 2025, in Cleveland.
Akron basketball has received numerous MAC awards under coach John Groce
Groce was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2025. Three of his Akron standouts have been named MAC Player of the Year: Loren Cristian Jackson in 2020, Enrique Freeman in 2024 and Nate Johnson in 2025. Freeman was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Advertisement
Freeman was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and Johnson earned the honor in 2025. Also this past season, Akron's Shammah Scott was the MAC Sixth Man of the Year and Sharron Young made the All-MAC freshmen team.
Akron Zips coach John Groce reacts as his team struggles during the second half of the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game March 15, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
At Akron, Groce has coached one three-time All-MAC selection (Freeman), four two-time All-MAC honorees (Jackson, Daniel Utomi, Xavier Castaneda and Ali Ali) and seven one-time All-MAC players (Tyler Cheese, Xeyrius Williams, Bryan Trimble Jr., Greg Tribble Jr., Nate Johnson, Tavari Johnson and Isaiah Gray).
Groce has coached six players to All-MAC first-team honors: Jackson and Freeman twice apiece, and Castaneda, Ali, Nate Johnson and Tavari Johnson once apiece.
Advertisement
Additionally under Groce, Akron has had four players earn All-MAC defensive team honors: Freeman four years in a row, Tribble twice and Channel Banks and Nate Johnson once each.
Groce's oldest son, Conner, joined the Zips as a walk-on last season after graduating from Revere High School in 2024.
Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips basketball coach John Groce agrees to contract extension
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Ohio State basketball reportedly set to announce home-and-home series with in-state rival
Ohio State basketball reportedly set to announce home-and-home series with in-state rival For years, the Ohio State basketball program has kept its in-state brethren within arm's length of playing during the regular season. Reasons aren't fully known, but many believe it's because the Buckeyes have nothing to gain by playing the likes of Cincinnati, Dayton, or Xavier -- three other programs in the state that could take away the mantle of being the so-called best hoops program in the Buckeye state. We've seen OSU play that trio before, but more often than not, it's been because it was forced to through special events or postseason tournament play. It seemed like a far-fetched idea that Ohio State would enter into any kind of agreement to play on another in-state basketball school as a part of a nonconference, regular-season game willingly. Until now. Though further details are still to materialize, NCAA basketball insider Jon Rothsten has announced that Ohio State and Dayton have agreed to a home-and-home series beginning this year, with the first game being at UD Arena in Dayton. There has not been an announcement by the Ohio State or Dayton athletic programs as of yet, but Rothsten is usually on point with these sorts of things, so expect something to be made official from the universities soon with a real, live date and time. Crazy enough, the Flyers and Buckeyes have only met twice, with the last meeting being a classic in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. That contest was won by the Flyers on a layup with under four seconds remaining to end OSU's postseason run. The win also evened up the all-time series at one victory each. OSU won the only other matchup 74-63 in an NIT quarterfinal in 2008. I'm all about this sort of scheduling and think it is long overdue. In fact, while we are on it, why don't we start a little Buckeye state annual event with all four of these programs doing battle? How fun could that be? We'll have more details as they are made available.
USA Today
9 hours ago
- USA Today
UTSA-UCLA baseball live updates: Start time, TV for NCAA Super Regional game
UTSA-UCLA baseball live updates: Start time, TV for NCAA Super Regional game Show Caption Hide Caption 5 men's NCAA baseball tournament players to watch The Mongomery Advertiser's Adam Cole and The Tennesseean's Aria Gerson break down the top players to watch in the men's NCAA baseball tournament. UTSA baseball looks to continue its Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament with its first super regional win. In order to continue that magic, the Roadrunners will need to find a way past No. 15 UCLA in Los Angeles. UTSA and UCLA are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch in Game 1 of the Los Angeles Super Regional at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles on June 7. Stream UTSA baseball vs. UCLA with ESPN+ Both teams are coming off regional sweep, with UTSA winning the Austin Regional as its No. 2 seed. The Roadrunners beat Kansas State then downed No. 2 national seed Texas twice to advance, while UCLA won its own regional with wins over Fresno State, Arizona State and UC Irvine. UTSA is the first appearance in the super regionals, while it is the seventh overall trip for UCLA and the first for the Bruins since 2019. USA TODAY Sports is providing live updates, scores and highlights of Game 1 of the Los Angeles Super Regional. Follow along below. UTSA vs UCLA baseball live score This section will be updated during the game TEAMS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 F UTSA — — — — — — — — — — UCLA — — — — — — — — — — REQUIRED READING: NCAA baseball tournament bracket: Super regional matchups, schedule, pairings for CWS UTSA vs UCLA baseball super regional live updates This section will be updated closer to first pitch The Roadrunners are making their first trip to the super regional round of the NCAA Tournament, and their fourth trip to the postseason overall. UTSA picked up its first NCAA baseball tournament win on May 30 against Kansas State in a 10-2 win in the Austin Regional. The Roadrunners then picked up back-to-back wins against No. 2 national seed Texas to advance one step closer to the College World Series. Here's a full look at UTSA's history in the NCAA baseball tournament: 1994: 0-2 in Central Regional 0-2 in Central Regional 2005: 0-2 in Waco Regional 0-2 in Waco Regional 2013: 0-2 in Corvallis Regional 0-2 in Corvallis Regional 2025: 3-0 in Austin Regional What time does UTSA vs UCLA baseball start? Date: June 7 June 7 Time: 7 p.m. ET 7 p.m. ET Where: Jackie Robinson Stadium (Los Angeles) UTSA and UCLA are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles for Game 1 of the Los Angeles Super Regional. What TV channel is UTSA vs UCLA baseball on today? TV channel: ESPNU ESPNU Streaming options: ESPN app | ESPN+ Game 1 of the Los Angeles Super Regional between UTSA and UCLA on June 7 will be carried on ESPNU. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and ESPN+, ESPN's subscription streaming service. NCAA baseball schedule The 2025 NCAA baseball tournament began on May 30 with the regional round of play. The tournament has since advanced to the super regionals, which began June 6 and will run no later than June 9. The College World Series is the next stage of the tournament, and will begin on June 13. It will run through June 22 or 23, depending on whether the championship series requires two or three games. Here is more detailed look at the latest college baseball schedule and NCAA Tournament bracket update.
9 hours ago
Kyle Johnson drives in 5 in Duke's 7-4 win over Murray State; Blue Devils seek first CWS since 1961
DURHAM, N.C. -- Kyle Johnson drove in five runs to power Duke's 7-4 victory over Murray State on Saturday in the first game of the Durham Super Regional. The Blue Devils are one win from reaching the College World Series for the first time since 1961. Game 2 is Sunday. Johnson, a .228 hitter in 57 at-bats coming in, had two doubles and a home run among his four hits and scored twice. Trailing 2-0 in the third inning, Duke tied it when Jake Berger drew a leadoff walk and scored on Johnson's two-run home run to center field. Johnson and Berger figured in the Blue Devils' three-run fourth inning. Johnson drove in two with a bases-loaded double that sent Berger to third base. Berger then scored on a wild pitch by Nic Schutte (8-4). In the sixth, Johnson doubled to drive in one run and later scored on a double by Ben Rounds. Duke managed only six hits — four by Johnson — but the Blue Devils benefited from eight walks. Dom Decker had four of Murray State's nine hits and drove in two runs. Duke starter Owen Proksch (4-3) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. Reid Easterly pitched three scoreless innings for his fifth save. Duke (42-19) is playing in the super regionals for the fourth time. The Racers (42-15) are making their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance and first in the super regionals. ___
