Staying Close to John Groce - Coach-related News and Views

[Let'sGoZips94]

Remember when Bud Wentz said in an interview that Akron has nicer facilities than JMU a few years back when JMU was the hottest thing in college sports? He was referring to everything that matters to players - practice facility, locker room, rehab, etc. These guys spend 80% of their time in those areas and it's a very easy sell to players/recruits. In addition, they're connected with a life-long financial stability partner in Bud/Wentz Financial Group which is seemingly not something many programs are offering. This is the recipe for the successful culture we are reaping the benefits of as fans. Bud funds the attractions while Groce & his staff find the high character, high skill players that value said attractions. Whatever they do going forward I trust because they damn sure have earned that trust. 

 

With that being said, more comfortable seating would go a long way with the community haha. 

[Zips1991]

14 hours ago, Zippy87 said:

 

Matta is staying 

 

 

Now, today the news is coming out that he's retiring.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Just now, Zips1991 said:

Now, today the news is coming out that he's retiring.

 

 

Must be some big donor(s) that put the pressure on.

[NWAkron]

staying close with a quick note about John's Next endeavor...in process.

[ZippyRulz]

On 3/13/2026 at 5:29 PM, Zippy87 said:

 

I bet Jerrod Calhoun gets Cincy. 

 

You never know what a person is thinking of feeling, but I don't know if Groce would be as successful with his culture-building style at a P4 school. Most P4 recruits are about the paycheck and not much else. Not that money doesn't matter here, because we've seen it does. I just think you can team-build more at an Akron than you can most P4 schools. 

 

Calhoun is also mentioned as a candidate for KS State but sounds like he would prefer Cinci.

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

 

[Zippy87]

Coach Groce got choked up yesterday at the Watch Party talking about Bud Wentz and how he believed in his vision for the program when he first came in. He genuinely seems to love Akron and being here. I'm not saying programs won't reach out - they wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't - but I would be surprised if he left. 

[kreed5120]

2 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

Coach Groce got choked up yesterday at the Watch Party talking about Bud Wentz and how he believed in his vision for the program when he first came in. He genuinely seems to love Akron and being here. I'm not saying programs won't reach out - they wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't - but I would be surprised if he left. 

 

Definitely points to that he will be unlikely to leave for a lateral move or one at somewhere like an A10 school that might be perceived as half a step up. 

[infofan]

22 hours ago, GP2 said:

I wish UA could just get an estimate of what a decent renovation to the seating at the JAR would cost, then ask for donations. I’m sure most of this forum would be willing to chip in a little, at the very least. If we ever get want to look like a bigger program, we’ve gotta get rid of those wooden bleachers.

Summer of 2024 i believe YSU spent @2 million to replace ALL the seats at Beegly center with new chairbacks floor to ceiling on the sides.  The Zildjen family paid a big chunk of the cost. Beegly and Rhodes arenas are very similar.  That reduced seating from 6300 to 4633.  Central Michigan's Rose arena was also very similar.  Retractable bleachers upstairs, chairs down.  They did a sizable renovation ,(20 million in 2010) that increased seating from 5200 to 5300 utilizing angled seating in corners.  It was a nice facility with cushioned theater seats everywhere but endzones, though it did not have a centerhung scoreboard

 

[clarkwgriswold]

2 minutes ago, infofan said:

Summer of 2024 i believe YSU spent @2 million to replace ALL the seats at Beegly center with new chairbacks floor to ceiling on the sides.  The Zildjen family paid a big chunk of the cost. Beegly and Rhodes arenas are very similar.  That reduced seating from 6300 to 4633.  Central Michigan's Rose arena was also very similar.  Retractable bleachers upstairs, chairs down.  They did a sizable renovation ,(20 million in 2010) that increased seating from 5200 to 5300 utilizing angled seating in corners.  It was a nice facility with cushioned theater seats everywhere but endzones, though it did not have a centerhung scoreboard

 

 

I went over to YSU for the preseason scrimmage.  It is a very nice cozy facility and the sight lines are good.  The bleacher seating on the ends is a little goofy but I'd be happy with a similar reno for the JAR.

[NWAkron]

12 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

I went over to YSU for the preseason scrimmage.  It is a very nice cozy facility and the sight lines are good.  The bleacher seating on the ends is a little goofy but I'd be happy with a similar reno for the JAR.

The secret to Calhoun's success for sure!

[clarkwgriswold]

4 hours ago, NWAkron said:

The secret to Calhoun's success for sure!

 

Butts in padded seats are crucial to the success of any program.

[NWAkron]

deleted.  fell for a twitter hoax.

Edited Tuesday at 12:52 AM by NWAkron

[Let'sGoZips94]

6 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

saw a rumor of Steele to Butler.  I question legitimacy of it.

 

Saw the same thing. Bio doesn't look fake per se but I can't tell if all his tweets are satire or not.

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

Oh my. Bruce bought it lol

[kreed5120]

12 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Oh my. Bruce bought it lol

 

He probably believes everything he reads on the internet, which is why he thinks Auburn deserve to be in the tournament.

[clarkwgriswold]

That's the same cheater Bruce that kissed Travis's posterior last week after saying that Miami didn't belong in the tournament.  He's a phony and a clown 🤡.

[clarkwgriswold]

Groce was on 92.3 with Baskin and Phelps today.  As always, he said all of the right things.  He is such a professional.  We are so blessed to have him.

[zipsrule]

21 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Groce was on 92.3 with Baskin and Phelps today.  As always, he said all of the right things.  He is such a professional.  We are so blessed to have him.

He was also complimentary of Miami and the MAC as a conference this year.

[clarkwgriswold]

11 minutes ago, zipsrule said:

He was also complimentary of Miami and the MAC as a conference this year.

 

To Travis's credit, I heard him on a show last week crediting the Zips and saying how they got overlooked as a great team with everyone focusing on Miami's undefeated season.

[dirtyolcrowe]

Groce mentioned as a possible candidate.  New AD for Syracuse is former Toledo AD. 
Hmmmmmm…..

[Zippy87]

9 minutes ago, dirtyolcrowe said:

Groce mentioned as a possible candidate.  New AD for Syracuse is former Toledo AD. 
Hmmmmmm…..

 

 

I can't imagine Groce leaving a really good situation for a gig where they aren't fully invested in the program. 

[Zippy87]

https://chicago.suntimes.com/college-sports/2026/03/19/akron-zips-john-groce-crushing-it-illinois-texas-tech-ncaa-tournament-march-madness

 

As Groce’s Illinois successor, Brad Underwood, continues to make the school look good for hiring him in 2017, Groce has become a rumored candidate for higher-level jobs, including at Butler and Cincinnati.

 

“You can’t ever say never,” he said. “That’s just not how this deal works. I’m always open-minded.”

[Zippy87]

https://www.ideastream.org/sports/2026-03-18/mac-teams-are-dancing-in-march-but-butler-opportunity-looms-for-akron-miami-coaches

 

Will those strong connections make both men candidates for the Butler job?

 

"I don't think you can go wrong with either one of them," Pluto said. "John has told me ... he's been very content at Akron."

[Zippy87]

 

All of this history is probably why Groce is underrated nationally. Still, given UA’s status as a MAC dynasty, it would come as no surprise if Groce were to receive another shot to lead a major program. Speculation has already been swirling about Groce, whose contract with Akron is scheduled to run until June 30, 2035, becoming a candidate at Cincinnati, Butler and Boston College.

Groce called his Akron predecessor Keith Dambrot “a legend” when Dambrot announced his retirement as Duquesne’s coach in 2024. Groce inherited an excellent program from Dambrot. Since then, Groce has elevated it and surpassed Dambrot’s three trips to the NCAA Tournament with the Zips.

If this iteration of March Madness proves to be Groce’s last hurrah with Akron, it’s been a great run, one worthy of love from Zips fans.