Career Timeline of John Groce: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 20, 2026

How John Groce built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

John Groce is an American college basketball coach. He is currently the head coach for the Akron Zips men's basketball team. Previously, he served as the head coach at both the University of Illinois and Ohio University, showcasing his experience at multiple Division I programs.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1964: Ohio's First Sweet Sixteen Since 1964

In 2012, John Groce led the Ohio Bobcats to their first trip to the Sweet Sixteen since 1964.

1993: Assistant Coach at Taylor University

In 1993, John Groce began his coaching career as an assistant at Taylor University under Paul Patterson.

1996: Assistant Coach at North Carolina State

In 1996, John Groce became an assistant coach at North Carolina State under Herb Sendek.

2000: Assistant Coach at North Carolina State

In 2000, John Groce was an assistant coach at North Carolina State under Herb Sendek.

2001: Assistant Coach at Butler

In 2001, John Groce served as an assistant coach at Butler under Thad Matta for one season.

2004: Assistant Coach at Xavier

In 2004, John Groce served as an assistant coach at Xavier with Thad Matta.

June 27, 2008: Head Coach at Ohio University

On June 27, 2008, John Groce was named the head coach at Ohio University following Tim O'Shea's resignation.

2008: Assistant Coach at Ohio State

In 2008, John Groce served as an assistant coach at Ohio State with Thad Matta.

2011: CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) Bid

In 2011, the Ohio Bobcats, coached by John Groce, earned a bid to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). They won their first-round game against Marshall before losing to East Tennessee State in the CIT Quarterfinals.

2011: Start of Undefeated November Record

In 2011, under coach John Groce, Illinois began a streak of undefeated Novembers that continued until 2015.

March 28, 2012: Head Coach at the University of Illinois

On March 28, 2012, John Groce finalized negotiations to become the men's basketball head coach at the University of Illinois.

2012: MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2012, John Groce led the Ohio Bobcats to an 11–5 conference record and another MAC tournament championship, resulting in an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. 13 seed. They defeated No. 4-seeded Michigan and No. 12-seeded South Florida to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

2012: Maui Invitational Win

In 2012, the Illinois Illini, coached by John Groce, won the Maui Invitational by defeating Butler in the championship game.

2013: Best Start for a First-Year Coach

In 2013, John Groce led the Illinois Illini to a 12–0 start, the best start for a first-year coach in the team's modern era.

2013: Start of Braggin' Rights Winning Streak

In 2013, John Groce started to reverse Illinois' losing streak by winning the annual Braggin' Rights interstate rivalry game against Missouri, a streak which lasted for four seasons.

2014: Undefeated November Record

During the 2014 season, Illinois' success in November improved to 21–0 under John Groce.

2016: End of Braggin' Rights Winning Streak

From 2013 to 2016, John Groce reversed Illinois' prior losing streak in the annual Braggin' Rights interstate rivalry against Missouri by winning the contest for four straight seasons.

2016: Vote of Confidence for Groce

In 2016, before the end of the season, Illinois AD Josh Whitman gave John Groce a vote of confidence, stating that he would continue to be the basketball coach.

March 11, 2017: Dismissal from Illinois

On March 11, 2017, John Groce was relieved of his duties as the head coach of the University of Illinois, two days after the Illini lost their Big Ten tournament opening-round game to Michigan.

April 5, 2017: Hired as Head Coach of Akron Zips

On April 5, 2017, John Groce was hired to become the new head coach of the Akron Zips.

2020: MAC Regular Season Title

In 2020, John Groce's Akron Zips won the MAC regular season title, but were unable to participate in the postseason due to the COVID pandemic.

2022: MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2022, John Groce led the Akron Zips to win the MAC Tournament Championship against Kent State. The Zips advanced to the 2022 NCAA Tournament as a 13 seed, losing in the First Round to 4th seeded UCLA.

2023: MAC Championship Semifinal Appearance

In 2023, John Groce led his team to the MAC Championship Semifinal, but they were unable to make consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

2024: MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2024, John Groce's Akron Zips won the MAC Tournament Championship against Kent State, securing Akron's 6th appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a 14 seed. They lost their first-round matchup against 3 seed Creighton.

2025: MAC and MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2025, John Groce's Akron Zips won the MAC and the MAC Tournament Championship as a 13 seed. They lost their first-round matchup in the NCAA tournament match to Arizona.