John Groce (HC Akron Zips)

[DZ83CK]

Groce is definitely in line to get a pay and/or job upgrade. As a Big Ten fan, I hope he comes to the B1G, although as an OSU fan I am not enthused about him coaching a rival. I doubt Nebraska will be able to get Groce, but if I were Illinois, I'd look at Groce well ahead of a guy like Chris Collins.

 

[LitlBuck]

Groce is definitely in line to get a pay and/or job upgrade. As a Big Ten fan, I hope he comes to the B1G, although as an OSU fan I am not enthused about him coaching a rival. I doubt Nebraska will be able to get Groce, but if I were Illinois, I'd look at Groce well ahead of a guy like Chris Collins.

The Huskers already had their time with Danny Nee from OU and that did not work out very well in the long. As Piney has mentioned, OU as all their starters returning next year so Groce might want to stick around another year to bolster his stock even more.

 

[Piney]

Groce is definitely in line to get a pay and/or job upgrade. As a Big Ten fan, I hope he comes to the B1G, although as an OSU fan I am not enthused about him coaching a rival. I doubt Nebraska will be able to get Groce, but if I were Illinois, I'd look at Groce well ahead of a guy like Chris Collins.

The Illinois job scares me as a Bobcat fan. I don't know how Groce would be able to turn that job down.

The Huskers already had their time with Danny Nee from OU and that did not work out very well in the long. As Piney has mentioned, OU as all their starters returning next year so Groce might want to stick around another year to bolster his stock even more.

Yeah, Nebraska won't get Groce. Rumblings are he is not interested in that job at all, kinda like I said earlier. Just not a job with upward mobility. Illinois on the otherhand... Groce would be a great coach there, and is a job where after 8-10 years he can move on to an elite job if/when they come available. Or he can just stay there and compete for titles.

So glad they are talking other candidates so it looks like Groce will come back to Athens. Of course I am willing to chance a win against UNC and a trip to the final 4 and even a National title game/win would put him on their radar for him to go to Illinois... I'll take that trade

Then again, most Bobcat fans knew that when Groce took the job he would only be there for 4-6 years if all things go well. I am just glad Matta is grooming Groce's replacement for us

 

[Oh8ch]

It may be time to rethink the Nebraska job. They are now part of the strongest BBall conference in the country. They significantly upgraded their facilities last year. Their fan base is supportive even of the program they have now.

Hire the right coach and just add water.

Still wouldn't be my first choice as a coaching job, but may not be the dead end many perceive it as.

Personally would love to see Groce in the Big Ten - and better Nebraska than Illinois.

 

[MaxBuck]

Nebraska would be at best a lateral move for Groce.

 

[Piney]

It may be time to rethink the Nebraska job. They are now part of the strongest BBall conference in the country. They significantly upgraded their facilities last year. Their fan base is supportive even of the program they have now.

Hire the right coach and just add water.

Still wouldn't be my first choice as a coaching job, but may not be the dead end many perceive it as.

Personally would love to see Groce in the Big Ten - and better Nebraska than Illinois.

It could be time to re-think it as it seems like they want to invest in the basketball program. But as a rising head coach do you want to risk that? Yes if you succeed at Nebraska it CAN be a really good job. But would you rather coach Illinois? yep... would you rather come back to the same group that went to the sweet sixteen and wait one more year for an even better job offer?

The pickings seem real slim this year for a hot coach. So if Groce is happy in Athens... which is a great place to stay along with great fan support, he can choose to be picky and pick the right spot for him. (Plus there are rumors that the Athletic Department is looking at doubling his salary, or close to it)

 

[sparcboxbuck]

It could be time to re-think it as it seems like they want to invest in the basketball program. But as a rising head coach do you want to risk that? Yes if you succeed at Nebraska it CAN be a really good job. But would you rather coach Illinois? yep... would you rather come back to the same group that went to the sweet sixteen and wait one more year for an even better job offer?

The pickings seem real slim this year for a hot coach. So if Groce is happy in Athens... which is a great place to stay along with great fan support, he can choose to be picky and pick the right spot for him. (Plus there are rumors that the Athletic Department is looking at doubling his salary, or close to it)

Watching the game between bites of dinner last night out here in Chicago. I was running back and forth from our table to the bar (The Bank in Wheaton... pretty nice place... great steak for the record). Our waiter and a few other people were talking about how the IL job would be a good move for Groce. I'm not sure that it makes sense for him to jump this year with what he's building in Athens but some times you've got to look at the opportunity when it comes. I would hate to see him go, but this run has put him on some radars now for sure. I wouldn't be shocked one bit to hear stories about IL reaching out to him as soon as Saturday afternoon.

 

[FCollinsBuckeye]

Sounds like the Nebraska job is no longer open...

Tim Miles said CSU did everything possible to try to convince him to stay but that the opportunity to coach basketball in the powerhouse Big Ten Conference was one he couldn't pass up.

"I'm going to be the coach at Nebraska," Miles said.

Nebraska officials scheduled a news conference this morning in Lincoln, Neb., to formally introduce Miles as their coach. He replaces Doc Sadler, who was fired March 9 after six seasons on the job. The Cornhuskers were 12-18 this season and 4-14 in the Big Ten, finishing in a tie with Penn State for last place in the 12-team conference.

link

 

[LitlBuck]

I think Illinois would be stupid not to go after Groce fullbore. While Athens is a nice little town, OU is still in the MAC and I doubt even if they could double his salary that probably wouldn't match what Illinois could offer.

I know there are bigger names available but Groce is one hell of a coach and could recruit the hell out of the Midwest. He probably scares me more than any of the other big names that have been mentioned for the Illinois job that those types of jobs don't open up very often for a Midwestern guy.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Nebraska would be at best a lateral move for Groce.

Disagree entirely. First of all, it's the Big Ten versus the MAC. That alone ends the discussion. Throw in the financial resources of a big time football program and a passionate statewide following, and Nebraska would definitely be a step up.

Illinois, however, is the better job. That being said U of I seems hellbent on hiring a minority coach over all other considerations, and if considered, Groce would have to contemplate whether he wants to deal with the Chicago Public League, their coaches, street agents and all the other crap that surrounds it. Without a pipeline into the CPL, Illinois fails.

 

[Oh8ch]

It could be time to re-think it as it seems like they want to invest in the basketball program. But as a rising head coach do you want to risk that? Yes if you succeed at Nebraska it CAN be a really good job. But would you rather coach Illinois? yep... would you rather come back to the same group that went to the sweet sixteen and wait one more year for an even better job offer?

The pickings seem real slim this year for a hot coach. So if Groce is happy in Athens... which is a great place to stay along with great fan support, he can choose to be picky and pick the right spot for him. (Plus there are rumors that the Athletic Department is looking at doubling his salary, or close to it)

Groce does have pretty much everybody coming back, but this is a squad that over achieved down the stretch. He would be hard pressed to repeat what he did this season. Even with another similar year he would be hard pressed to get an offer better than Illinois caliber.

The iron is hot.

 

[MaxBuck]

Illinois looking at Ohio's John Groce to fill coaching vacancy

 

[stowfan]

If UI could convince the top instate talent to play for the home team, they would be trouble in both basketball and football.

 

[Piney]

Groce does have pretty much everybody coming back, but this is a squad that over achieved down the stretch. He would be hard pressed to repeat what he did this season. Even with another similar year he would be hard pressed to get an offer better than Illinois caliber.

The iron is hot.

You say over achieve I say was realizing their potential. They were about to crack the Top 25 in late December/early January then they lost to Robert Morris & BGSU and then Akron in a 4 game stretch. They worked on their issues and got back in shape and were kicking arse from mid-February on.

Next season the whole team is back. Throw in a 6'9 transfer from Missouri plus we have a 6'11 sophomore that rode the bench. Hopefully his game can improve enough to gain some meaningful playing time next season.

But back to Coach Groce... Illinois is the job we feared losing Groce too. Nebraska? While it is a better job, its not the right path and he would prefer to come back to Ohio and impress enough to get a better job offer. Like...

Illinois, that is the better job he can't say no too and most Ohio fans know that and feared they would come to their senses and give him a call.

I am torn... While I would love to have Coach Groce back, Ohio fans know he was always going to be a short timer in Athens. BUT, the guy that should/will replace him... he might not be a short timer. So I kinda don't mind if Groce would leave now so Ohio can return their prodigal son that Ohio State has been training for us

And yes... I would be SUPER pissed if Jeff Boals is not the next head coach at Ohio University.

 

[BengalsAndBucks]

I haven't seen it brought up anywhere, but just a thought:

If we were to win the national title this year, is there any chance that Matta retires and we bring back Groce? I don't think anyone is expecting Matta to coach a whole lot longer with his health issues, and going out after the national title seems fitting.

No idea if this is a realistic possibility, its just what I keep thinking when I hear Groce's name bandied about.