Dr Z

UA did not confirm the hiring but reportedly has scheduled a news conference for Thursday

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Peoria Illini writes "Good for Groce! I'm assuming Dustin Ford and possibly Parnham may follow him there. We'll see him in the dance in a few years." Dustin Ford Dustin Ford is in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Fighting Illini. He was hired in April 2012 to coach John Groce's first staff at Illinois. Prior to coming to Illinois, Ford served on Groce's Ohio University staff for four seasons from 2009-12, helping guide the Bobcats to an 85-56 overall record. Ford specialized in working with the frontcourt, aiding in the improvement of players such as Jerome Tillman (first-team All-MAC in 2009), DeVaughn Washington (honorable mention All-MAC in 2011) and Ivo Baltic (honorable mention All-MAC in 2012). Prior to his stint in Athens, Ford served three years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on Larry Hunter's staff at Western Carolina from 2006-08 and was promoted to associate head coach in the spring of 2008. During his tenure at Western Carolina, he was responsible for recruiting two eventual Southern Conference Defensive Players of the Year in Brigham Waginger (2010) and Richie Gordon (2011) and a SoCon Freshman of the Year in Harouna Mutombo (2009). Ford began his coaching career as the head varsity coach at Jackson High School in Jackson, Ohio, for four seasons from 2002-05. Paris Parnham Paris Parham is in his fifth season as an assistant coach on John Groce's Fighting Illini staff. The Chicago native is an 18-year veteran of the coaching profession. Parham came to Illinois after five years as an assistant at Illinois State. ISU won 104 games during Parham's tenure on former head coach Tim Jankovich's staff. The Redbirds recorded four 20-plus win seasons in five years, advancing to the NIT four times and the Missouri Valley Tournament championship game three times. Parham spent the previous three years in Chicago, serving one season as head coach at Morgan Park (2007) and two seasons as head coach at Phillips Academy (2005-06). He was the Chicago Public League's Red-Central Coach of the Year in 2005 after leading Phillips to an undefeated conference record. During this time, Parham also coached with the AAU program Full Package and assisted at the Chicago Bulls Training Academy. Impressive.

Let me get this straight, now some Zip fans are making excuses for Groce winning in the tournament. I'm was just getting used to the excuses for KD losing in the tournament. I'm going to have to have some adjustment time. ?

Fleck is a Genius, Just Ask Him 7 on 7, how inventive, he should contact LegalZoom for the patent. Why don't I miss this guy?

"Whether it's accurate remains to be seen?" If only there were a way. ? John Groce / Russell Turner / Jimmy Christian / Anthony Stewart / Jamion Christian / John Loyer

KD is going to build it with old school Pittsburgh. Can't wait to see him at a Steeler game with his face painted waving the towel.

I had to look him up. I can't believe someone is actually from Key Biscayne. Moving from an island to Akron can't be a picnic.

I know some University employees read here, but maybe a well written email to Larry would be appropriate. krex@uakron.edu You seem passionate on the subject, and he seems like a good communicator, and may be responsive.

Linvingston wrote: "Dambrot seldom challenged himself or his team with his schedule" Seems like an unbefitting article since Dambrot is packed and gone. I could have respected it, if he were still actually coaching at Akron.

I don't think that is such a big deal. I want to hire the correct coach, I think that is more important. This is from yesterday's PD article by EA.... Akron AD Larry Williams, "I do want to move forward as fast as possible." With that in mind, Williams said he will be off to the Final Four in Arizona to do more of the search and possible interviews. "We'll get a lot of activity done there,'' he said. I think that is a good idea.

Odd that the new 32 million dollar Stroh Center hasn't helped the attendance, talent or coaching?

2017 Ben Jobe Award will be announced at the Final Four this weekend in Phoenix, Ariz. Anthony Stewart is one of 21 on that list. The Ben Jobe Award is presented annually to the top minority coach in division I men's basketball.

@elvisss_w "I want to thank everyone in the Akron community and family for a great 2 years here at the university! Being a kid from Akron my heart will forever be in this place! This by far has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but I have decided to continue the rest of my college career at Robert Morris University! It's bitter sweat knowing that I won't be able to play in this uniform anymore but the opportunity to play with my brother has certainly been a big influence in my decision! Again thank you for all the memories, laughs, and heart felt moments!#330#bobosgrandchild #foreverinmyheart"

Please talk football in the football forum. There are plenty of topics started.

Seems like a pretty fair piece to me. Well written, well researched and quoted. While not "positive", I wouldn't call it negative. More informative, for those that may have run across a headline googling his name when he got the job, and don't know the back story. I didn't know he had a former player call the Cotton family, so I actually learned something. Reads familiar, from the comment section: "Couldn't give long suffering Duquesne fans one little moment before you go back to talking about Pitt 24/7! Disgraceful!"

Here is a thousand post thread (Stadium Cams are Live) to remind anyone who forgot what the stadium climate was a decade ago. Scarborough could have educated himself in an hour.

Idea trademarked. Only person I would consider working with is Dejan Kovacevic.

Only thing missing is a cartoon of KD as Batman (utility belt with stacks of money), and TDM as Robin standing (mice size) in downtown Pittsburgh with the buildings dwarfing them. Trying to think of some good captions.....

This starts Thursday, March 30th at 6:25 pm.

Is there anything that Michael Kenneth Williams isn't good in? Incredible in 'The Night Of'.

I'm hoping, and guessing that the next HC of the Akron Zips will not have recent ties to coach Dambrot. I'm ready to watch some different coaching philosophies at the JAR.

The one thing KD will get more of at Duquesne, is local media. I follow a lot of Pittsburgh media, and he is getting a lot of attention this morning. We all know how that area suffers in the Akron market. I think he will do well in that area, at least in the beginning. I've always enjoyed hearing him speak after games. Many times he echoed what I felt during the game, but seemed unable to to effect it during the game. I'm anxious to see how that plays out in print next season.