Charleston Hires Veteran Akron Zips Coach John Groce

John Groce informed Akron players on Monday, March 30 that he will depart for the College of Charleston. A person familiar with the situation confirmed the move to Filmogaz.com. The decision ends a nine-season run as Akron’s head coach.

Groce’s tenure at Akron

Groce took over Akron in 2017. He compiled a 197-94 record with the Zips. His Mid-American Conference mark was 114-50.

He ranks third in Akron men’s basketball history for total wins. Keith Dambrot (305-139) and Russell Beichly (288-144) hold the top two spots.

Titles, NCAA berths and recent seasons

Under Groce, Akron won four MAC Tournament titles. The championships came in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

The Zips reached the NCAA Tournament four times in five years. Akron fell in the first round on each occasion.

• March 17, 2022 — Lost 57-53 to UCLA as a No. 13 seed.
• March 21, 2024 — Lost 77-60 to Creighton as a No. 14 seed.
• March 21, 2025 — Lost 93-65 to Arizona as a No. 13 seed.
• March 20, 2026 — Lost 91-71 to Texas Tech as a No. 12 seed.

Akron became the first MAC men’s team to three-peat as tournament champion. The program also became only the second to earn four MAC tourney crowns in five years. Buffalo had previously done so.

The 2025-26 Zips set a single-season program record at 29-6. Akron also went 17-1 in MAC play for a second straight year.

Groce’s career and background

Groce has 18 seasons as a college head coach. His career record stands at 377-225. He is 4-7 in NCAA Tournament games, and 0-4 in those games while at Akron.

Before Akron, Groce led Ohio from 2008-12 and Illinois from 2012-17. He went 85-56 at Ohio and 95-75 at Illinois. With Ohio, he reached the Sweet 16 in 2012 as a No. 13 seed.

Groce lived in Summit County during his Akron tenure. His oldest son, Conner, joined the Zips as a walk-on in 2024 after graduating from Revere High School.

Contract and buyout

Akron extended Groce’s contract multiple times. The latest extension ran through June 30, 2035.

Combined base salary and supplemental pay were $850,000 per year. The contract included a $350,000 lump-sum buyout if Groce terminated the deal this year.

Why Charleston hired him

The College of Charleston opened its coaching search after Chris Mack left. Mack accepted the head job at the University of South Florida.

Charleston went 21-11 in 2025-26. The Cougars finished 14-4 in the Coastal Athletic Association. Their season ended with an 81-56 loss to Towson in the CAA quarterfinals.

The program had recent continuity under coaches who reached the NCAA Tournament. Pat Kelsey, Mack’s predecessor, led Charleston to back-to-back berths in 2023 and 2024.

The hiring fits headlines that noted Charleston hires veteran Akron Zips coach John Groce and brings experienced leadership to Charleston’s program.

Akron’s next steps

Akron associate head coach Dustin Ford is expected to be a leading internal candidate for the vacancy. Ford is a longtime Groce lieutenant.

Ford has worked with Groce for 18 seasons. That includes four seasons at Ohio, five at Illinois and nine at Akron. He played at Ohio from 1997-2001 and averaged 7.5 points and 2.7 assists.

Before joining Groce, Ford coached at Western Carolina from 2006-08. He also was a high school head coach at Jackson High School from 2002-05.

The decision concludes a significant chapter for Akron basketball. It also sets up a transition for both programs involved.