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

[NWAkron]

whatever deal better come with better: concessions, halftime entertainment, and a nee Playlist for the band otherwise Zips are the next NIU.

[kreed5120]

35 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

The Dustin Ford era is about to begin.

 

Bobcat Attack has to be in shambles to hear that lol. 

 

Probably a bit torn. On the other side likely rejoicing that the bald man will no longer be hurting them.

[kreed5120]

22 minutes ago, GP1 said:

The purposeful devaluation of college basketballs regular season by those who run it. Make everything about March Madness and nobody pays attention until March Madness. 

 

There are many other problems, but I think that's a big one. 

 

You can probably add in the if you're not first, you're last mentality that has made people less compelled to support teams unless they're not national title contenders.

 

Also, the loss of community in sports at a local level. Attendance in high school, college, and even pro sports is down all across the country. Particularly at the lower levels there appears to be less pride in where one lives.

[exit322]

26 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

You can probably add in the if you're not first, you're last mentality that has made people less compelled to support teams unless they're not national title contenders.

 

Also, the loss of community in sports at a local level. Attendance in high school, college, and even pro sports is down all across the country. Particularly at the lower levels there appears to be less pride in where one lives.

 

Likely there's less generational consistency in a lot of these areas, causing at least the high school issue.  How many of us live in the same high school district we graduated from?  I know I don't!

[Zippy87]

52 minutes ago, 1981 grad said:

I brought up the attendance issue because this board is wondering why Groce is making a lateral move.  The only time I have heard him express his frustration is with the attendance so I checked the attendance for the college of Charleston.  I understand Groce's frustration is that the Zips had their highest win total, the longest home winning streak, and three out of four years we went to the NCAA tourney and he is playing in a half empty jar.  I would also be frustrated.  Every person likes to know that there hard work is appreciated and Akron fans just do not show up to support this team.  I really hope that Groce stays but I could also understand why he would want to leave and play in front of 4900 fans instead of 2200 fans.

 

A bit different, obviously, but Ryan Gosling recently said this regarding theater-goers - "It’s not your job to keep them open, it’s our job to make things that make it worth you coming out.”

 

Seems fitting anytime we talk about Akron and attendance. 

[zippy5]

It's happening from what I hear.

[WeRise225]

54 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

whatever deal better come with better: concessions, halftime entertainment, and a nee Playlist for the band otherwise Zips are the next NIU.

Who buys tickets for halftime entertainment at a mid-major college? 

[kreed5120]

17 minutes ago, exit322 said:

 

Likely there's less generational consistency in a lot of these areas, causing at least the high school issue.  How many of us live in the same high school district we graduated from?  I know I don't!

 

That's an excellent point. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

7 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

It's happening from what I hear.

 

 

Our new fearless leader. 

[zippy5]

the pressing question is whether @Illini Zip goes too?

[UAZipster0305]

What are the chances that Kent, Ohio, Toledo, and Miami fans have been donating to the CoC NIL fund over the past 48 hours? 😄

[Zips1991]

13 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

It's happening from what I hear.

If so, the sliver lining is that we don't have a whole lot of returners coming back from last year anyways, so we don't have to worry about losing a ton of key players with a coaching change. Although, it would be nice to keep Sharron and Eric.

[dirtyolcrowe]

CHARLESTON | OUT: Chris Mack
A semi-stunner Wednesday afternoon, as Mack was announced as the next coach at South Florida. He leaves behind by far the best NIL situation (and living location) in the CAA. A premier job in a one-bid league just came open and a lot of people are going to be out for it.

[Illini Zip]

3 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

the pressing question is whether @Illini Zip goes too?

I will be making a statement shortly. My agent is finalizing the small details of my contract extension as we speak. 

[zippy5]

They don't even have a message board. What a sad program

[Illini Zip]

I had a nightmare last night where I was watching Groce at Charleston wearing a maroon vest. 😒

[Zippy87]

https://x.com/i/status/2038642631823999401

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

[zippy5]

Sad day

[UAZipster0305]

I am hoping this turns out to be a Ken Lolla to Caleb Porter type situation for us.

[Zippy87]

Hopefully our next coach can finally get us over the hump neither KD or Groce could. 

[AkronAlumnus]

at least we can get rid of Connor, that kid sucked.  I'm better at hoop than him, and I was just average in HS. 

[Zippy87]

Just now, AkronAlumnus said:

at least we can get rid of Connor, that kid sucked.  I'm better at hoop than him, and I was just average in HS. 

 

He was grandfathered in with the old walk-in rules, so he didn't count against the 15 roster spots. I don't think that transfers to a new school, though. 

[exit322]

3 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

Hopefully our next coach can finally get us over the hump neither KD or Groce could. 

 

Unless Bud's contribution magically quintuples from its already significant amount, Groce hit the program's ceiling in today's NIL world.

Edited 2 hours ago by exit322

[NWAkron]

On 3/28/2026 at 2:27 PM, NWAkron said:

I was laughed at when I said Charleston was the landing spot for Groce.

anyway.