Groce posed for photographs with the clones who affectionately wore bald caps, eyeglasses and vests at Rocket Arena.
Advertisement
“I was, I guess, I could just say flattered or humbled, but, yeah, a lot of them looked a heck of a lot more attractive than me,” Groce quipped. “I’m not very attractive. I’ve got no hair. I don’t know what my wife sees in me, but God bless her. I love her to death.”
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) is mobbed by teammates after his game winner to secure the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
1 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) is mobbed by teammates after his game winner to secure the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
2 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips head coach John Groce plays up to the cameras as he accepts the Mid-American Conference championship after beating the Toledo Rockets at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
3 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott hugs his family after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
4 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) reacts at the end of the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
5 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) looks for a layup against Toledo Rockets forward Jaylan Ouwinga (32) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
6 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott catches a piece of confetti during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
7 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
The Akron Zips men’s basketball team celebrates after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
8 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots a three against the Toledo Rockets during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
9 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Toledo Rockets center Austin Parks (25) throws down a dunk between Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and guard Evan Mahaffey (12) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
10 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) shoots against a pair of Toledo defenders during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
11 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) battles for the ball against Toledo Rockets guard Kyler Vanderjagt (4) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
12 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) celebrates as Akron comes back during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
13 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron guard Tavari Johnson celebrates with teammates after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
14 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips head coach John Groce gives an official an earful during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
15 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Bowen Hardman (15) celebrates after a three during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
16 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
An Akron cheerleader performs during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
17 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) puts up a shot during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship against the Toledo Rockets at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
18 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) looks to the basket for a layup over Toledo Rockets guard Kyler Vanderjagt (4) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
19 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) and Toledo Rockets guard Mynor Strong (5) fights for the ball during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
20 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) looks for a layup ahead of Toledo Rockets guard Leroy Blyden Jr. (2) and center Austin Parks (25) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
21 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) celebrates after a three during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship against the Toledo Rockets at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
22 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) controls the ball against Toledo Rockets guard Will James Jr. (11) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
23 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Toledo Rockets forward Sean Craig (7) and Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) fight for the ball during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
24 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
An Akron Zips player shows off his section of net after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
25 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots over Toledo Rockets guard Will James Jr. (11) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
26 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) celebrates with guard Zach Halligan after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
27 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips head coach John Groce celebrates his third consecutive Mid-American Conference championship win with Sandy Hamad at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
28 / 28
Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson cuts down the net after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Even if Groce isn’t the sexiest man alive, it shouldn’t bother him because he now has the sexiest coaching resume in UA’s Division I basketball history.
This isn’t said or written enough: Groce has established himself as an Akron legend, and he should be a fan favorite.
Advertisement
“We have good support, man,” Groce said. “… I use the phrase ‘it takes a village’ often. And it does.”
Akron Zips fans cosplay as UA men’s basketball coach John Groce during the 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Akron faces Texas Tech in first round of NCAA Tournament
Someone who closely observes Akron basketball asked yours truly last season to identify the alpha leader on the team. The answer without hesitation: Groce. The questioner immediately agreed.
Akron players had other descriptions of Groce this past weekend, providing insight into his ability to delicately balance the high demands he implements with genuine care. Guard Sharron Young said Groce “is like another father to some of us.”
Advertisement
Hired by UA in 2017, Groce has guided the Zips to their third consecutive MAC Tournament championship — an unprecedented three-peat for a men’s team — and third NCAA Tournament berth in a row.
No. 12-seed Akron (29-5, 17-1) is scheduled to face No. 5 Texas Tech (22-10, 12-6 Big 12) in a first-round Midwest Region game at 12:40 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
Akron Zips men’s basketball coach John Groce has a word with his team before a MAC Tournament quarterfinal March 12, 2026, in Cleveland.
After Akron earned the MAC’s automatic bid to March Madness by defeating Toledo 79-76 in the conference tourney title game on March 14, Rockets coach Tod Kowalczyk credited the Zips but also said, “They must be living a charmed life the last three years.”
Advertisement
Kowalczyk said Kent State and Miami championship-game gaffes helped Akron win the MAC tourney in 2024 and 2025, respectively, and he explained he thought Toledo “had that game won” this year.
Think again.
Coach John Groce has excelled with the Akron Zips in college basketball’s NIL and transfer portal era
During “Selection Sunday,” Groce addressed Akron fans who attended the team’s watch party at Rhodes Arena and expressed skepticism about the Zips merely being lucky. He pointed out they have seized four MAC Tournament titles in a span of five years. Akron joined Buffalo (2015-16 and 2018-19) as the only MAC teams to achieve such dominance.
Advertisement
Other MAC coaches are envious of Groce’s success. Although Kent State coach Rob Senderoff has been extremely complimentary of Akron this year, Senderoff publicly lamented UA’s advantage in name, image and likeness money last season.
There is no denying Groce and Akron have benefited from the Fear the Roo Collective founded by local businessman Bud Wentz. Groce has repeatedly praised Wentz’s crucial role in UA acquiring and retaining talent during a new era of college sports.
Yet, other MAC teams have quality rosters, too, and Groce has gotten the most out of his personnel this decade.
Akron Zips coach John Groce gives an official an earful during the Mid-American Conference championship game against Toledo on March 14, 2026, in Cleveland.
John Groce is 4-6 as a head coach in March Madness
Whether Groce is doing interviews with media, discussing sleep studies with local youth coaches or patrolling Akron’s sideline, he always creates the impression he’s all in and ultra-competent. He is professional, focused, intense, passionate and competitive. Those qualities along with camaraderie define the Zips’ culture.
Advertisement
The only knock on Groce is he’s an elite mid-major coach who didn’t consistently flourish at the highest level of college basketball when he had the chance.
After piloting Ohio to a record of 85-56 in four seasons (2008-2012), he went 95-75 in five seasons at Illinois (2012-17). Illinois fired Groce in 2017, with the Fighting Illini going 37-53 in the Big Ten and never finishing better than seventh in the conference during his tenure. Groce went 3-2 in the NCAA Tournament at Ohio, advancing to the Sweet 16 with the Bobcats in 2012, but 1-1 in just one March Madness appearance with Illinois.
Akron is 0-7 in Division I NCAA Tournament games, including 0-3 with Groce. It doesn’t take a mathematics major like Groce to figure out his head coaching record in March Madness is 4-6.
Akron Zips coach John Groce surveys the court during a Mid-American Conference semifinal against Kent State on March 13, 2026, in Cleveland.
All of this history is probably why Groce is underrated nationally. Still, given UA’s status as a MAC dynasty, it would come as no surprise if Groce were to receive another shot to lead a major program. Speculation has already been swirling about Groce, whose contract with Akron is scheduled to run until June 30, 2035, becoming a candidate at Cincinnati, Butler and Boston College.
Advertisement
Groce called his Akron predecessor Keith Dambrot “a legend” when Dambrot announced his retirement as Duquesne’s coach in 2024. Groce inherited an excellent program from Dambrot. Since then, Groce has elevated it and surpassed Dambrot’s three trips to the NCAA Tournament with the Zips.
If this iteration of March Madness proves to be Groce’s last hurrah with Akron, it’s been a great run, one worthy of love from Zips fans.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
