The University of Akron (UA) and head men’s basketball coach John Groce have agreed to a one-year contract extension, adding to a previously approved 10-year extension, which will run through the 2034-35 season, UA President R.J. Nemer and Interim Director of Athletics Dr. Matthew Juravich announced on Tuesday. The one-year extension is pending board approval.
“Coach Groce has demonstrated remarkable leadership and an unwavering commitment to excellence throughout his tenure at The University of Akron,” said UA President R.J. Nemer. “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 became the Akron Zips 22nd head coach on April 6, 2017. He completed his eighth season at Akron with a 168-88 overall record, including a 137-54 (.717) mark over the last six seasons. In Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, the Zips are 97-49 under Groce and 83-27 over the last six years, owning the best winning percentage (.755) in the MAC.
“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,” said Groce. “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!”
Groce has led Akron to eight consecutive MAC Tournaments compiling a 13-4 record at Akron and 22-6 overall, including back-to-back MAC Tournament Championships and NCAA Tournament berths in 2024 and 2025 for the first time in program history. In addition, the Zips have won the MAC Tournament three times in the last four years, also a program record, while securing a pair of outright MAC regular season championships in 2020 and 2025. The three conference tournament championships in the last four years have only been accomplished by seven other programs nationally.
“Coach Groce exemplifies Akron in every way,” said Juravich. “He has built an all encompassing championship culture and we look forward to continued growth and success in the program.”
In 2024-25, the Zips set the best regular season record in program history at 25-6 and the best overall record in program history at 28-7. Akron’s 17-1 conference record tied the best finish in MAC history, matching the 2001-02 Kent State squad.
Akron earned the No. 1 seed to the MAC Tournament and defeated No. 8 Bowling Green (W, 96-67), No. 4 Toledo (W, 100-90) and No. 2 Miami (W, 76-74) to advance to the First Round of the NCAA Tournament East Region in Seattle, Wash. The Zips played the No. 4 seeded Arizona Wildcats (L, 93-65) at Climate Pledge Arena on March 21.
Groce was named The Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award winner in addition to his second MAC Coach of the Year honor in 2025. He was previously named the MAC Coach of the Year in 2020. In addition, five players earned 2025 MAC postseason accolades as Nate Johnson was named MAC Player of the Year and MAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as First Team All-MAC and All-MAC Defensive Team accolades. Shammah Scott garnered the MAC Sixth Man of the Year award, while Sharron Young was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team. Tavari Johnson earned First Team All-MAC honors, while Isaiah Gray was named All-MAC Honorable Mention.
During his 32-year coaching career, Groce has helped coach teams to seven regular season conference championships,10 conference tournament championships, a National Runner-up, an Elite 8, an NCAA Sweet 16 and seven Round of 32 appearances. Over 32 years his teams have not only shown consistent success on the court but they have demonstrated sustained excellence in the classroom as well.
Prior to joining the Zips, Groce was head men’s basketball coach at the University of Illinois for five seasons. During his tenure at Illinois, he led the Illini to an average of 19 wins per season along with postseason appearances in four of his five years in Champaign, including the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Groce finished with a 95-75 record.
He arrived at Illinois after four seasons as head coach at Ohio University, where he led the Bobcats to an 85-56 overall record that included postseason appearances in three of his four years in Athens. Under Groce the Bobcats earned Mid-American Conference Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2010 and 2012.
