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If he leaves for "College of Charleston", we have bigger problems than we thought.

Yes, salary is also likely comparable once you adjust for cost of living as well. Groce I believe got a combined $100K bonus for winning the MAC Tournament and making the tournament. That would have brought his total compensation to like $950K.

Totally agree in that sense. Nothing Groce could achieve there that he couldn't at Akron.

I mean in terms of competitiveness. Lateral move at best.

CoC was paying Chris Mack more than Groce annually.

I can't fathom that one. Definitely a step down from Akron.

I think you may have overlooked @NWAkron sarcasm.

Wait are we really going to lose our coach to the College of Charleston? Is this how it ends? That would be a new low.

Ianello killed any momentum Akron might have had with a new stadium. Building a consistent winner at Akron is going to be challenging when programs like Miami (OH) are reportedly going to be spending $6-$8 million in NIL moving forward. Even if we have success it doesn't mean people will show. Akron basketball averaged 2,147 this past season (8th in the MAC) despite winning the MAC tournament 4 out of last 5 years and having the winningest season in program history. I get football is more popular. I just don't see how it can consistently attract 15k+ when the basketball program can't even get 3k.

anyone checking private jets from CAK to Charleston?

Trey Simmons just sound like someone destined to do damage in the MAC.

Doyel: Butler AD Grant Leiendecker found his basketball coach. But he didn't look very hard The other finalist was one of Matta's Butler assistants in 2001, John Groce, a mid-major coach with solid results and a large NIL fund, which means he’s competing with more resources than most of the MAC.

I think this might be the first MAC addition this offseason. https://x.com/i/status/2037017462286541090

I believe the Indy Star reported he was expected to be involved. Perhaps I am misremembering but I don't remember any official outlet going as far as "finalist" Tbh, knowing how well JG seems to like it here, I am wondering if this is some posturing for some more commitment to the program.

I agree. I am on the academic side, but even there, when there is interest, you have to pursue the opportunity diligently, maybe even make some over-the-top demands, just to see what is even possible in other places. Then, even if you do not wish to take the job offer, you go back with the offer to your boss and use that to better your position at home. This is simply how it works, maybe in other walks of life as well (executive level in firms, headhunter-dominated fields). Hopefully, this is all that is currently going on. Wasn't there some wisecrack on X that implied "bald man got too greedy" or some similar sentiment? That could be what is going on. Obviously, I am speculating.

I think Groce and his agent are wise to pursue every legitimate opportunity for advancement. This way he can keep tabs on his market value which then can be used to negotiate future contracts at Akron or elsewhere. Also, it’s good for Akron to have a coach that is in demand and to have the media float his name around. It’s great for recruiting. I think what he says to his team is what is most important. As a Zips fan the process is obviously nerve wrecking, but it sure keeps us from taking him for granted.

That's certainly his hardest challenge, 100%. I don't know if he can solve it, but I do have some hope.

The Indianapolis Star said he was a finalist for the job. I don't think you get to that level of a process without at least some mutual interest.

I'm just curious as to what leads you to conclude that "his Butler candidacy was very real" and "there was mutual interest for that job". I get that he didn't make some announcement that he was not interested but I can't conclude from that that there was a serious threat of him leaving or an explored interest. I'm certainly with you on the rest of the post. Lord knows we don't want to return to the Hipsher days!

For most people, the Zips will always be their fourth favorite team: 1. Browns or Steelers 2. Buckeyes 3. HS Football team 4. Zips This was true even in the Bowden years. Exciting, bowl-winning team still did not draw fans. What is the solution? It will be interesting to see if Goodrich can crack this nut.

It is magnified, but I think there's genuine discussions going on behind the scenes. I think his Butler candidacy was very real. Whether that means he will be a candidate anywhere else, who knows? But I do think there was mutual interest for that job. For me, I worry because I remember the pre-KD days of Akron basketball and don't want to go back. We were incredibly fortunate Groce was available the same time KD left, and we went from one legend to another. I don't think it's fair to expect that same fortune again if he were to leave. Additionally, I just love this program so much under Groce. He's such a likeable coach, his staff brings in players who are great young men and easy to root for...I'd just hate to see that go, as I'm sure everyone else would.

Bingo! Always looking over our shoulder. Hopefully Coach is here for a long time. Go Zips!

I'm not saying they're reasons that make sense or that are particularly defensible. Because I agree with you, they're not. I'm just saying if the Akrons of the world aren't giving people a reason to care, they're going to make that decision. But as I've said a few times...they got their best crowd of the year for a Tuesday night Kent game in awfully cold weather. I do legitimately have hope they're turning that side of it around a little bit.

Assisting with the search for Charleston’s next head coach is Collegiate Sports Associates. Mack owes the college $1.3 million in his buyout, and the two programs have also agreed to a home-and-home series.

They won!!