Staying Close to the Vest - Coach Groce-related News and Views

[ZipForNow]

5 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

If you want to use that argument we should probably be spending more time reviewing our failing policies in Ohio and spend less time worrying about other states. By 2050 most counties in Ohio outside of Columbus or Cincinnati areas are projected to lose population. Some areas as much as 30% of the population.

 

https://development.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/a9ee6aa5-cb22-4c35-8154-cf633daa6daf/State-of-Ohio-Population-Projections-Overview-2020-to-2050.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_M1HGGIK0N0JO00QO9DDDDM3000-a9ee6aa5-cb22-4c35-8154-cf633daa6daf-oTi9Hac

Thank you for posting the link. If you go to those projections, what you see is that Ohio has a high mortality rate (both relative to the past and to the national average) and a low birth rate. Surprisingly (to me), there has been a net influx of residents, people moving here, perhaps out of affordability? Still, it does not offset these natural drivers of population decline. This causes problems for UA because most of our students are local and the pool is shrinking. I think we need to start recruiting more students from out of state. These students would be more likely to attend sporting events than the current local student body, who tend to go home after class. 

[NWAkron]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Regardless of whatever statement you think I was insinuating, California's annual net loss in population in recent years would side with me. For as beautiful as that state is, there's clearly something wrong with it, so you can do some digging to figure out what that is. However, I was mainly referring to the financial benefits of being in Arizona vs. California, especially as he's nearing retirement age (currently 63 years young). 

oh ok.  you were merely concerned about multi millionaire Bennets financial situation as he nears retirement. 

[kreed5120]

53 minutes ago, ZipForNow said:

Thank you for posting the link. If you go to those projections, what you see is that Ohio has a high mortality rate (both relative to the past and to the national average) and a low birth rate. Surprisingly (to me), there has been a net influx of residents, people moving here, perhaps out of affordability? Still, it does not offset these natural drivers of population decline. This causes problems for UA because most of our students are local and the pool is shrinking. I think we need to start recruiting more students from out of state. These students would be more likely to attend sporting events than the current local student body, who tend to go home after class. 

 

Yes, I know many people who grew up here and attended college here. They then left because the job market here wasn't great for their career (computer engineering, digital marketing, etc). When jobs went remote during covid some moved back because they were able to keep their Seattle, DC, etc. salary while being near family while paying Ohio living expenses. Many companies are pushing for return to office or at least want hybrid so who knows how sustainable getting those type of migrants back will be moving forward.

 

I think the University is trying to attract out of state and out of country students. At least when I was an undergrad engineering programs in particular had a few because of our national rankings. It's harder to attract them for majors that don't get those recognitions.

 

Edit: Probably a better place to have this conversation.

Edited 18 hours ago by kreed5120

[Let'sGoZips94]

I think I wandered onto Kent's forum. Whoops.

[Zippy87]

 

Akron coach John Groce has support from at least one prominent member of Butler's inner circle. Groce is a Muncie native, and former Butler assistant coach under Thad Matta during the 2000-01 season. Groce worked for Matta at Xavier from 2001 to 2004 and followed Matta to Ohio State where he was an assistant from 2004 to 2008 before taking over as Ohio's head coach in 2008.

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

[kreed5120]

9 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

Akron coach John Groce has support from at least one prominent member of Butler's inner circle. Groce is a Muncie native, and former Butler assistant coach under Thad Matta during the 2000-01 season. Groce worked for Matta at Xavier from 2001 to 2004 and followed Matta to Ohio State where he was an assistant from 2004 to 2008 before taking over as Ohio's head coach in 2008.

 

I didn't see Holtmann talked about much before. Glad to hear another strong candidate has entered the race.

[Zippy87]

 

[ZipsBBjunkie]

33 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I didn't see Holtmann talked about much before. Glad to hear another strong candidate has entered the race.

I would be shocked if he left DePaul they finally seemed to turn a corner this season. 

[Zippy87]

Hopefully we find out soon. I have a bad feeling about this. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

 

[Reslife4Life]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

 

This is good

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 minutes ago, Reslife4Life said:

This is good

 

Holtmann's name popping up so late in this process gives me real hope he's the guy. Would make sense for all parties involved, too. 

[Zippy87]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

 

 

I don't see any record of this flight recently. Maybe I'm missing it?

 

N536JA Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware https://share.google/zTyXEa8NqbQFY7Sqr

Edited 3 hours ago by Zippy87

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

I don't see any record of this flight recently. Maybe I'm missing it?

 

N536JA Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware https://share.google/zTyXEa8NqbQFY7Sqr

 

It's weird because it's not code AUZ on FlightAware - it's ARR which is a muni airport west of Chicago (Aurora). Same airport, though, that has 3 different codes.

 

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N536JA/history/20260324/0200Z/KARR/KTYQ

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_Municipal_Airport

Edited 3 hours ago by Let'sGoZips94

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

This looks like a Senderoff hostage video. Some Butler fans on X are pointing out he gave a similar speech in 2017 before leaving for Ohio State 48 hours later. Still, interesting timing. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

According to Butler's fan forum, Holtmann interviewed yesterday, Shrews interviews today and it sounds like those are the 2 favorites for the job. 

[Zippy87]

12 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

According to Butler's fan forum, Holtmann interviewed yesterday, Shrews interviews today and it sounds like those are the 2 favorites for the job. 

 

I obviously have no idea, but it appears the same person posting on that forum as an insider posted this on Twitter.

 

 

[NWAkron]

So John's next endeavor is DePaul?

Check flights from CAK to Aurora?

Edited 2 hours ago by NWAkron

[UAZipster0305]

If Groce had won an NCAAT game or two, I'd be concerned. At this point though, I am sure he appreciates what he has going and the stability it brings his family. He's done the P4 thing already and knows what that's like. I don't think it's worth his leaving at this point to get another high mid-major position either. The days of mid-majors going to the Sweet 16 are pretty much over, and the last two NCAATs provide data to this point. So, why would he leave? He can do all of that here.

[Zippy87]

10 minutes ago, UAZipster0305 said:

If Groce had won an NCAAT game or two, I'd be concerned. At this point though, I am sure he appreciates what he has going and the stability it brings his family. He's done the P4 thing already and knows what that's like. I don't think it's worth his leaving at this point to get another high mid-major position either. The days of mid-majors going to the Sweet 16 are pretty much over, and the last two NCAATs provide data to this point. So, why would he leave? He can do all of that here.

 

I agree with just about everything here, but I think he has to at least be considering Butler if it is offered to him. The fact that we have had zero players publicly commit to Akron next year OR enter the transfer portal tells me they're all waiting to hear if he will be the coach or not. 

 

I don't think he'd leave for just anywhere, but he has several ties to Butler. He grew up in Indiana, he was an Assistant Coach at Butler, and was an Assistant Coach for Thad Matta in three different spots (Butler, Xavier, Ohio State) over an 8 year span. And Matta is reportedly part of the process in identifying their next coach. 

[UAZipster0305]

5 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

I agree with just about everything here, but I think he has to at least be considering Butler if it is offered to him. The fact that we have had zero players publicly commit to Akron next year OR enter the transfer portal tells me they're all waiting to hear if he will be the coach or not. 

 

I don't think he'd leave for just anywhere, but he has several ties to Butler. He grew up in Indiana, he was an Assistant Coach at Butler, and was an Assistant Coach for Thad Matta in three different spots (Butler, Xavier, Ohio State) over an 8 year span. And Matta is reportedly part of the process in identifying their next coach. 

And all of that is reasonable, I just think his family's life in the present carries way more weight than his legacy experiences.

 

All this said, I think he should be given the respect and compensation commensurate with his performance at UA so that he is satisfied and does not have other reasons to want to seek another opportunity.

Edited 2 hours ago by UAZipster0305

[kreed5120]

38 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

I agree with just about everything here, but I think he has to at least be considering Butler if it is offered to him. The fact that we have had zero players publicly commit to Akron next year OR enter the transfer portal tells me they're all waiting to hear if he will be the coach or not. 

 

I don't think he'd leave for just anywhere, but he has several ties to Butler. He grew up in Indiana, he was an Assistant Coach at Butler, and was an Assistant Coach for Thad Matta in three different spots (Butler, Xavier, Ohio State) over an 8 year span. And Matta is reportedly part of the process in identifying their next coach. 

 

Outside of Simmons at OU I've heard very little from any players in the MAC committing to return. I don't think a single person on Miami, Toledo, or Kent has made such a post on social media. 

 

My guess is last year we were expected to return most of our team when they made those comments on social media. In a way saying we're going to run this back. This year we're going to have major roster turnover even if we keep every one who has eligibility because this years team had a lot more seniors compared to last year.

Edited 1 hour ago by kreed5120

[zippy5]

To be honest, if you were a P5 team - is Groce what you are looking for? A 54 year old coach without a tournament win in 14 years, and one failed P5 stop.

 

I don't mean that as a dig, I am just looking at it from their perspective (or how I am hoping they look at it).

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 minute ago, zippy5 said:

To be honest, if you were a P5 team - is Groce what you are looking for? A 54 year old coach without a tournament win in 14 years, and one failed P5 stop.

 

I don't mean that as a dig, I am just looking at it from their perspective (or how I am hoping they look at it).

 

Arizona State just hired 63 year old Randy Bennett whose resume is also questionable.