All Activity

Here I thought you meant he would he would write a check for ~$500K to buy a player or two. Instead you think he's going to gift the University 10s of millions for a new arena. I think there is a greater chance of one of us on this board winning a $1 billion mega millions jackpot and gifting the University ~$75 million than LeBron doing that just because his friend is the coach.

I don't really think it's a factor at all. If he really leaves, I think it is because he is not content with the financial support his program receives in Akron from the university.

Maybe, but Duquesne has already done their arena upgrades and I think DJ3 back in Akron would just hit a bit different for his friend. Not that I think that will happen.

Could you imagine if a main factor of losing the most successful coach in the program's history is the weather? This makes me wonder what Groce's relationship with Goodrich is

Dallas isn't on the ocean; I'm sure Charleston summers are much more pleasant. Agreed on "to each their own" but it's far from unfathomable that CofC would be desirable for a multitude of reasons - weather and lifestyle included.

To each his own, but I moved from Akron to Dallas (with a few stops in-between) and I would take Akron winters over Dallas summers any day of the week. Further, I *miss* "real" winter. The approximately 1 time a year snow accumulates here, I can't wait to get outside and hear my feet crunch in the snow and smell the cold air - all of the sensations I miss and feel "right" to me. Now, some people absolutely hate the kind of winters Akron has even if they grew up in it (sounds like maybe that number includes you?) But Groce, who by the looks of it has only spend four years of his life in a "nicer" climate than Akron, might not be one of them. I'd be really surprised if weather is anything but the most minor of factors in his decision.

The more I look at Charleston, the more I feel it's pretty darn similar to Akron. - One bid league - Similar conference strength: CAA - 15th NET, MAC - 17th NET - Similar NCAA Tournament seeding: CAA seeds, last 5 years: 16, 15, 12, 13, 14 MAC seeds, last 5 years: 13, 13, 14, 13, 12

Regardless of Groce being better positioned or not, it's absolutely not a step backwards program wise, and a huge step forwards lifestyle wise. Winning 20+ games every year without Akron, OH, winters is going to be so much more enjoyable regardless of the ceiling. It's not like he's potentially taking the Kent job or a similar program north of the Mason Dixon line; this isn't rocket science. Again, really happy for Groce and his family should this come to fruition. Equally excited for Zips basketball under Dustin Ford.

That's the thing though, is he really better positioned at Charleston to get to the dance and not get out classed? CoC's record in the tournament is 1-7 with that win coming in 1997. Hofstra got whacked by alabama this year, and last year the CAA champion UNCW lost to Texas Tech in round 1. In 2023 Charleston went 31-3 and got a 12 seed and lost. This is just too similar of a program for this to make sense

This is what I imagine as well. Any pay bump he or his staff might get would likely be offset by COL increase. It's probably more about revenue share and NIL commitment. If he leaves for CoC it's probably because he thinks he can turn them into a Utah State with a $2-$3M NIL budget, but feels he took Akron as far as he could given the financial constraints.

He could always stay and keep trying. Also, I don't think he's gonna have a better chance to win in the NCAAT at "College of Charleston".

I imagine Groce is more interested in Akron’s overall commitment to advancing the program. Not necessarily his personal salary. He’s not a martyr by any stretch, but I bet he’s more frustrated with getting to the NCAAT and being out classed by so much every year. The NCAAT really matters to Groce, the staff and Wentz.

Or Dustin Ford gets a financially friendlier contract and the extra money goes towards NIL/assistants/etc.

Let's all band together and donate money for his raise. We can probably offer more than the university is able to offer.

Couldn't it just be the case that he is positioning himself and his staff for a nice pay increase at UofA?

Or not....

Noticed Groce's buyout is only $350K. For comparison Mack's at CoC was $1.5M, which was reduced to $1.3M by USF agreeing to a home & home. That seems like a very low sum for a coach that would be on the short list of a lot of coaching searches.

100% believe the Goodman/Borzello reports came from Groce's agent, especially considering the tweets came within 9 minutes of each other. Charleston doesn't really gain anything by leaking that.

Have you seen his record at Duquesne? He's not been bad, but it's hard to get excited about his performance. Also, if LBJ was going to be a benefactor for his friend wouldn't we already be seeing that take place at Duquesne?

If it would open the door to big LBJ money for the program then 💯

I often wonder how much of this stuff is spread by agents and friends of the "candidate."

Interesting thought for replacement:

Sort of. There is a Woke left and a Woke Right. Both run deep within American politics which is why we are living in dangerous times. Both utilize Maoist tactics but attach American characteristics to their arguments. Both are focused on group politics and fitting each of us into one of two groups. We are a country founded on the rights of individuals. The entire Bill of Rights is geared to the individual being protected from the state. This horse's ass running for the Republicans is trying to fit Ohioans into his world view. We don't need one university in NE Ohio, we need many with competing ideas which will strengthen each other. I can't believe this is the party of Ronald Reagan that I grew up with. It's a crying ass shame.

100%. If the reports are true, why wouldn’t he have taken USF? CofC isn’t anywhere near as good of job as that with the money they are putting into sports.

How funny that USF wanted Groce and then settled for Mack. And then CoC gets USF 1st choice to replace Mack. It’s honestly a bit of a head scratcher. And this timeline makes me think Groce is leveraging these offers to hopefully get Akron to commit more money. my prediction is he Stays!