John Groce Leaving Akron for College of Charleston

The most successful era in modern Akron Zips basketball history has come to an abrupt end.

Sources confirmed Monday morning that head coach John Groce has informed his players and staff that he is stepping down to accept the head coaching position at the College of Charleston. Groce will succeed Chris Mack, who recently departed the Cougars for South Florida.

The move marks a seismic shift for the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Since arriving in Northeast Ohio in 2017, Groce transformed the Zips into a regional powerhouse and a perennial March Madness fixture.

Groce leaves Akron as a program legend. Over nine seasons, he amassed a 197–94 record, trailing only Tony Hinkle and Russell Beichly on the school’s all-time wins list.

His final season (2025–26) was arguably the greatest in school history. The Zips finished with a program-record 29 wins and secured their third consecutive MAC Tournament title—the first “three-peat” in the conference since the late 1990s. Under Groce’s guidance, Akron reached the NCAA Tournament four times in the last five seasons (2022, 2024, 2025, 2026).

The lure of the College of Charleston reportedly centers on the program’s resources and its recent status as a “giant killer” in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). To secure Groce, Charleston will reportedly pay a $350,000 buyout to the University of Akron, as Groce had recently signed an extension through 2035.

The search for Groce’s successor begins immediately, and all eyes are on the current staff. Associate head coach Dustin Ford is widely considered the internal favorite. Ford has been at Groce’s side for 18 seasons across stops at Ohio, Illinois, and Akron, providing the continuity the university may crave to maintain its current momentum.

While the “Groce Era” in Akron is officially over, the standard he set—championships, 20-win seasons, and Selection Sunday appearances—will remain the benchmark for Zips basketball for years to come.