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At least when Dambrot left he went to a school in indisputable better conference and had a close, personal connection to the school. I would have preferred Groce get the Butler job as that would make a ton of sense. This feels like a swift kick in the nuts and is a humbling experience for the state of the program. I will cheer for Groce if he returns to the JAR to have his name retired, but I will be actively rooting against CoC.

Well, I got 2 good uses out of my vest

3 straight championships, 4 out of the last 5. Best conference record in MAC history over 2 seasons. I didn’t think there was a “level” between what KD did and winning a NCAA tourney game, but Groce showed there apparently was.

Guys, I know this feels like big news, but can we please concentrate on what's really important? That NWAkron called this and was laughed at?

Not to derail the convo even further, but a huge part of the problem is the MAC schedules their conference games on Tuesdays with the top Saturday games typically flexed to Friday nights. HS boys basketball players would likely be the demographic most likely to attend a quality DI hoops game right? Ohio HS boys basketball is played on Tuesdays and Fridays. A conference schedule change would be the most cost effective first logical step in attempting to boost attendance. Wouldn't cost the University a dime. The MAC and Steinbrecher are that stupid, though.

Losing our best two coaches ever to Duquesne and Charleston is about as painful as it gets. Nobody can convince me that the CCA and Charleston is a step up. If it is, we have big problems.

Kehres! or that guy from Hoban.

We have to go with the money, it is sadly the most important Part of College sports. If Wentz is the only donor who gives big money you have to go with his choice. If we can secure 2nd or 3rd donor by going with someone else then I think we should follow that lead. Dru Joyce went 9-9 in conference play in the A10 Last year in his 2nd year as Head coach. He is the only guy I think that could generate potentially more NIL than Ford. (Thanks to a Friendship with a Billionaire). If Lebron does not invest than we have to Roll with Ford and keep the Train moving as Wentz has made his Feelings know on X

Groce's teams were really fun and I appreciate the high character of the guys he brought in. The last 5 years have been especially fun. He didn't do what everyone said he would, though, in taking this program to levels KD couldn't, so that is disappointing. I often wonder what the program may have looked like if a skinny kid didn't decide to attend an open tryout...but you also have to credit the player development, too (Ford seemingly had a huge role in that). He's a good man and I wish him the best.

Groce was 4-0 in MAC championship games and COVID took away his 5th. KD was 3-6 or something like that. Grateful for both but not even close imo

This might be Akron’s best shot if they do go with Ford. I imagine Ford’s salary will be less than Groce’s as a first time head coach. Which means more resources for other things, mainly players. Ford would have a learning curve, but he is knowledgeable, experienced and has a culture already in place. Plus he knows the MAC and the Midwest like the back of his hand.

I will be making a statement shortly. My agent is finalizing the small details of my contract extension as we speak.

Being in Richmond I saw what a tournament run did for bb attendance at VCU firsthand. Prior to that VCU was not that much different than Akron…mostly a commuter college. I think Akron came within minutes of turning bb attendance around in the UCLA game. Been a Zips fan since 2012 and I think the band has been playing the same songs in the same order for that long…maybe that’s the problem…everything on game night has become too stale! But what do I know

Been trying to figure out what I am more upset about. Losing Coach Groce or losing him to College of Charleston. It's the latter. This is an insult.

I was angry when KD left. I'm sad with Groce's departure. What a great ride it was. I wish him the best. We just lost a top 25 coach in the country. All that being said, let's get behind Dustin. He's really earned this opportunity.

Ford is the only correct answer.

I wouldn't expect anything less from Groce. He is a stand up guy and I know this couldn't have been easy on him either

Live look at Nemer and Goodrich attempting to move Akron, OH, to a beautiful oceanfront location in the south.

its been an amazing 9 years. incredible fun. but these situations dont last forever. im excited for what is next.

Don't be. this is the natural course of things. It will all work out. First big decision for the new A.D. and his staff.

It's sad that our coaches leave for destinations like Duquesne and College of Charleston. That says everything there is to need to know about the difficulties of taking the next step(s).

I think we already got that with Dambrot to Groce.

Unless Bud's contribution magically quintuples from its already significant amount, Groce hit the program's ceiling in today's NIL world.

Sad day

The purposeful devaluation of college basketballs regular season by those who run it. Make everything about March Madness and nobody pays attention until March Madness. There are many other problems, but I think that's a big one.

This feels like a rare opportunity for all parties to elevate. Groce gets what he wants, Dustin gets his shot, and Akron can possibly take another step forward.

My replacement hot list - Leader - Dustin Ford. Positives: He's paid his dues as the top assistant under the most successful coach in UA history. Culture stays in place. Bud likes him. Negatives: Coleman Crawford paid his dues under Bob Huggins, and that didn’t work out so well. We need to interview at least 3 candidates. Bobby Hurley: Positives – Won big in the MAC with Buffalo. Available. Nationally recognized “splash” hire (AD’s like this kind of hire). Negative – Wholly unlovable crybaby…but people tend to overlook that if you win. And at the mid-major level he's a proven winner. Dru Joyce: Positives: Lebron's buddy...although in 20 years Lebron hasn't given the Zips program much, other than some shoes and a logo patch. Dru will be championed by favorite son Keith Dambrot. He's a former Zips point guard with extensive professional playing experience. Presently Duquesne's HC with "moderate" success. He's a formidable opponent to Ford for this opening...should he want it. Negatives: The Lebron association doesn't seem to produce any tangible help to the Zips program. Dru hasn't exactly caught lightning in a bottle at Duquesne. His hire would take the Zips in a completely different direction. Long Shot Outside-the-Box Hire – Easton Bazzoli HC at Gannon Positives – Coaching Gannon in the D2 finals this Sunday. “Local-ish” guy. Took Gannon from a 3-23 record 2 years ago to 32-3 this season. Negatives – Not a “splash” hire. New culture install. Is he worthy of a D1 "high mid-major" job like Akron’s? This is where the rubber meets the road and we see what Goodrich is made of!

Agree wholeheartedly with my guy @Hilltopper. Both have been fantastic stewards of our favorite program. Appreciation is my first and last instinct here. IMHO, program maintenance should not be the goal of the upcoming hire. While I understand the desire for rapid resolution and continuity, now might also be the time to really examine the opportunity to adjust the approach so as to break through the NCAA "ceiling." We wouldn't have thought or been seriously motivated to make a change solely for this reason, but now that the program is facing the need to replace a coach, it's a chance to really define the goals for the next regime. After KD did the heavy lifting to make the program a leader in the MAC, JG further moved the the program to sustained conference dominance. The Zips benefited from his experience at a High Major .. and how to beat High Major teams. Miami has benefited from Steele's time at a High Major. This is a time to evaluate what the program needs to keep ascending. For me, this means a coach with High Major experience. If they've also had success at a mid-major, that's a bonus. Not the only coach that would fit the bill, but I think we should make a few calls ...

I’d go hard after Hubert Davis!!!!

I'm not hating on him for not donating. I'm not going to tell anyone how they should spend their money. I'm just pointing out that I find it unlikely he'd ever contribute in a meaningful way and we shouldn't really factor that into the hiring discussion. I agree, nothing about Dru excites me. If we were an EMU, Ball State, etc getting a .500 coach who was a former player to excite the fanbase might be a decent move. We instead need someone who keeps the engine moving. To me that's Ford.

The LeBron hate is so tired. The man does tons of wonderful work in the Akron community. I'm not going to hate on him for not donating to our NIL fund. I would be surprised to see Dru leave Duquesne, too. And honestly, while I respect him as a great Akron player, I'm not really impressed with him as a head coach.

I feel most of LeBron charity work is mostly him lending his name in exchange for others, often taxpayers, fronting the cash. He might show up to a FTR golf outing or banquet if it fits into his tight schedule if Dru is the coach, which might lead to a few extra participants, but I don't see him contributing meaningful sums of money from his personal wealth.

Dustin is no Jim Whitesell. Dustin is personable, fun, emotional during the game and fits in well with the Akron community. On personality alone, I think he would bring in more fans than Groce did. With Groce, as much as we liked and respected him, there was a veneer and game face. Dustin Ford would bring a new vibe. Whether he can accomplish the rest, I will trust LCJ, the AD staff, and Bud Wentz, on that accord.

My only guess why Ford wouldn't get the job would if he didn't want it. The fact Bud is publicly showing support would lead me to believe those conversations have already been had and he's interested.

Speaking about this here in an Akron message board is one thing......Get the word out! Every person who goes to the polls to vote should understand what they are voting for or against and right now I do not think they do. The comments about these universities should be plastered all over northeast Ohio and really the entire state.

I think KD is the most important coach in Zips basketball history. But I don't think his style works at all in today's game. I also think he ended his career in the best way possible.

Akron is being left on solid footing. You may need to plan better.

It’s been a bitch getting a beer and a burger at Corner Alley the past several years. Looking forward to the smaller lines and increased leg room when pregaming in 2027!

how much does KD have left in the tank?

Groce didn't really have a set system. We went from one of the slowest paces in the country a few years ago to one of the fastest paces the last 1-2 years. Groce best attribute was probably adjusting his strategy to his teams strengths instead of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Based off that Ford has experience recruiting all kinds of different style of players.

I agree with you but most on here don't think attendance is the issue. They say we have the NIL $$ and facilities and that is what players/coaches care about. While I think that is important, I think support, attendance and excitement are what players and coaches like. Look at the enthusiasm Miami O stirred up in the last couple months. The swim team with the bathing suits was played over and over. I guarantee their applications and enrollment will go up. When we have the attendance argument around football the argument is "we need a history of winning first".....Well, that is not the case with basketball.

I don't think so. Both won many MACC and had great players and teams. Groce was a bit more consistent, especially in the past several years. For that to be true, Groce would have needed to win at least one NCAAT game, likely more. Let's see if the next guy can get us there. Lolla had us undefeated and a #1 national ranking and took us to the Elite 8. Porter won us a Natty and had several more College Cup appearances and multiple Hermann Trophy winners. There is definitely not an analogy between Dambrot-Groce and Lolla-Porter.

Hopefully our next coach can finally get us over the hump neither KD or Groce could.

What are the chances that Kent, Ohio, Toledo, and Miami fans have been donating to the CoC NIL fund over the past 48 hours? 😄

Who buys tickets for halftime entertainment at a mid-major college?

Bud Wentz retweeted these...interesting...

The Sun Belt has bigger names than the MAC; they probably don't have to play on Tuesdays to get a decent enough deal. While attendance itself isn't the perfect metric (and MAC attendance is hurt by the midweek stuff), the MAC had five teams (Buffalo, CMU, Ohio, Toledo, WMU) that averaged at least 15,000 fans (the latter three averaged 20,000) announced. The Sun Belt had six over 20,000 (App State, GA Southern, JMU, Marshall, Southern Miss, Troy) and one (App State) over 30,000. Your second point, however, is 100% spot on. The midweek games reduce that access for the fans locally, and that's really the last thing any of the MAC teams need.