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

[Let'sGoZips94]

10 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

John wanted Butler, too. He wanted a lot of places that weren't Akron. I totally respect that - sometimes it is time to move on, and if his budget was getting cut, I get it. But I don't think Charleston was his target gig from the beginning of this. 

 

Charleston wasn't open at the beginning of this. He was allegedly offered the USF job. Wouldn't surprise me if he got word that Mack was their backup plan, let them go in that direction unless they met an absurd asking price, and went Charleston. 

[kreed5120]

45 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Ironic since the CofC AD gave a fiery interview after the press conference and said that anybody who is chasing rhe money isn't welcome at CofC.

 

That to me would imply chasing a paycheck. I don't think anyone here is claiming that, especially after seeing his salary is pretty similar to Akron. In fact, he might have taken a pay cut once you factor in cost of living adjustments. If it was about just collecting a paycheck I imagine he could have left Akron a while ago. I imagine at some point in 9 years a school called and offered him more money than Akron was paying.

 

Groce is a competitor and wants to win. He likely believes that CoC provides him a better opportunity to make a Sweet 16 run because they have a larger war chest of NIL money. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 minute ago, kreed5120 said:

 

That to me would imply chasing a paycheck. I don't think anyone here is claiming that, especially after seeing his salary is pretty similar to Akron. In fact, he might have taken a pay cut once you factor in cost of living adjustments. If it was about just collecting a paycheck I imagine he could have left Akron a while ago. I imagine at some point in 9 years a school called and offered him more money than Akron was paying.

 

Groce is a competitor and wants to win. He likely believes that CoC provides him a better opportunity to make a Sweet 16 run because they have a larger war chest of NIL money. 

 

The irony I was referencing had to do with the increased NIL pool and their AD saying right after the press conference that they don't want anyone who is after the NIL money.

[ZipsBBjunkie]

20 hours ago, 72 Roo said:

In case you haven't noticed it is happening at Akron now. We have exceptional people in all positions and they will work things out. They are doing it now.

As we lose one of the Akron greats I see there are plenty chiming in re: the parallels to when we lost KD. Let’s also make sure we don’t have selective memory when it comes to the start of this unbelievable run in 2022. According to Groce himself, repeatedly, during the: Joe Gingo, Gary Miller, Chuck Guthrie, Groce run there was incredible alignment. Groce would use the same language he used in the CoC press conference in public and private on replay after the ‘22 championship and up to the unveiling of the Wentz practice facility. Remember there was so much alignment that they had ALL signed multi-year extensions approved by BOT under Adkins who followed Gingo as chair that would have had that group in place through 2027 (Miller) and beyond (Guthrie, Groce).

 

The outlier was the provost Wiencek (along with the ‘brilliant’ Mr. Saxon - my eye is on the state of UA in 2031 after his 9 yr term ends I’ll then revisit the validity of this characterization) who after having a publicly documented (see Signal Akron expose) primary role in the upheaval of all that alignment was quickly shown the door by the person he had handpicked as his new boss. Funny enough he ‘stepped down’ in Jan 25 right after they donned the front cover of Walsh Jesuit’s alumni magazine Winter 25 issue together. Credible sources say Nemer doesn’t like to share the spotlight beyond a few exceptions e.g. photos with shirtless Ak rowdies so that magazine cover could have been the nail in the coffin for Wiencek who knows. I jest. 
 

https://issuu.com/drakem-walshjesuit/docs/warrior_paths_-_winter_2025

Whatever happened, happened, that full BOT to admin to head coach group is now completely gone with Groce’s departure - Nemer cleaned house and has his people in place. You mention current alignment, but what I hear is  Nemer loves only those who do his bidding, and even uses the nickname puppet boldly in his cabinet meetings  for some of his closest followers on campus. Bottom line, I’m just not sure unilateral say is the same as alignment? Regardless, appears Groce didn’t think or feel so. 

 

Thankfully, we have Ford in place and most importantly, keep Bud in a primary role, BUT those are some rose colored glasses you’re wearing @72Roo and/or you’re drinking the proverbial cool aid that Nemer loves to pour. You’ve been around a long time so I’m not totally discounting. I’ve consistently heard similar rumblings to what @Let'sGoZips94 mentioned from some

of the coaches and coaches staffs non-basketball. Not all is what it seems, but at UA it never is so I just shrug, support our programs and hope we can keep the momentum. I’ve renewed my season tickets and will continue buying into whatevr Bud has to offer, literal and figurative. I just wonder what this could look like if it was Bud on the BOT someday. 

[zippy5]

Total rumor alert but..

 

 

 

 

[Let'sGoZips94]

7 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

Total rumor alert but..

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure where Nemer was or if this has any effect on the players, but I also heard that he was not at the QF/SF games. Have not confirmed that, nor do I know exactly what effect it has had. 

Interesting that Ford seems so excited about the job and donations are allegedly hot despite a potential rift in alignment. 

Edited 36 minutes ago by Let'sGoZips94

[kreed5120]

9 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Not sure where Nemer was or if this has any effect on the players, but I also heard that he was not at the QF/SF games. Have not confirmed that, nor do I know exactly what effect it has had. 

Interesting that Ford seems so excited about the job and donations are allegedly hot despite a potential rift in alignment. 

 

I could have sworn I was in an elevator with Nemer at half-time during the Kent game. Then again maybe that was the booze thinking.