The University of Akron Athletics
John Groce Named The Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award Recipient
April 03 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron (UA) head men's basketball coach John Groce was named the 2025 Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year by College Insider on Thursday, April 3. The award is presented annually to the top mid-major head coach in college basketball. Groce became the first head coach in Akron basketball history to receive
the award.
"It is an honor and privilege for our staff and support staff to be recognized with the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award," said UA head coach John Groce. "We are so grateful that our players allow us to coach them and impact their lives. In addition, I would also like to thank the Akron and University community, the Board of Trustees, President R.J. Nemer, Interim Athletic Director Dr. Matthew Juravich, our entire athletic department staff and the Fear the Roo Collective for all the support they give our program and our student-athletes. This recognition does not happen without the efforts of many."
The Zips reached new heights in the 2024-25 season under Groce with a program best 28-7 overall record, including a 17-1 record in Mid-American Conference play. The Zips won a program record 25 regular season games while tying the best record in the MAC modern era with a 17-1 conference record. The 2024-25 Akron squad is just the second MAC school to finish the regular season 17-1, joining the 2001-02 Kent State team that first accomplished this feat.
"John has been an incredible motivator, mentor and coach both on and off the court," said UA President R.J. Nemer. "John knows how to win, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him as such a committed member of the University community. We are excited to see what the future holds for our men's basketball program under Coach Groce's leadership."
In 2024-25, Akron won the MAC regular season title and secured the MAC Tournament championship in back-to-back years for the first time in program history. Groce led Akron to its seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament and third appearance in his career at Akron.
Bringing in nine new faces to the program, Groce didn't miss a beat after winning the 2024 MAC Tournament title. The Zips adjusted their style of play and went 16-0 at home this season, becoming just the fourth Akron team to go undefeated at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Akron finished the season ranked No. 1 in the MAC in offensive efficiency (118.5), effective field goal percentage (57.8), 2-point field goal percentage (60.4), tempo (72.9), scoring offense (84.0), scoring margin (+9.0), 3-point field goals made per game (10.7), rebounds per game (38.3), assist-turnover ratio (+1.50) and assists (17.74).
The Zips were also at the top of the league standings defensively, ranking No. 1 in defensive efficiency (103.3), field goal percentage (47.2), 3-point field goal percentage (29.8), defensive rebounds per game (26.6), blocked shots per game (3.74) and steals per game (7.63).
Nationally, the Zips ranked in the Top 100 teams in 19 statistical categories. Akron ranked 15th in tempo with a 71.6 rating which was +4.2 faster than the 67.4 Division I average. The Zips also ranked 4th in the NCAA in assists per game (17.7), 5th in bench points per game (33.97), 8th in 3-pointers made per game (10.7), 8th in scoring offense (84.0), 10th in 3-pointers attempted per game (29.7), 27th in assist-turnover ratio (+1.50), 29th in rebounds per game (38.49), 32nd in fastbreak points (13.20), 34th in effective field goal percentage (.578), 35th in scoring margin (+9.0), 46th in defensive rebounds (26.66), 59th in 3-point percentage. (.362), 59th in free throw percentage (.754), 60th in field goal percentage (.469), 81st in steals per game (7.6), 82nd in 3pt pct. defense (.319), 84th in rebound margin (+3.4) and 85th in offensive rebounds (11.8).
Akron earned the No. 1 seed to the MAC Tournament and defeated No. 8 Bowling Green (W, 96-67), No. 4 Toledo (W, 100-90) and No. 2 Miami (W, 76-74) to advance to the First Round of the NCAA Tournament East Region in Seattle, Wash. The Zips played the No. 4 seeded Arizona Wildcats (L, 93-65) at Climate Pledge Arena on March 21st.
For the second time in his career at Akron, Groce was named the MAC Coach of the Year. He was previously named the MAC Coach of the Year in 2020.
In addition, five players earned 2025 MAC postseason accolades as Nate Johnson was named MAC Player of the Year and MAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as First Team All-MAC and All-MAC Defensive Team accolades. Shammah Scott garnered the MAC Sixth Man of the Year award, while Sharron Young was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team. Tavari Johnson earned First Team All-MAC honors, while Isaiah Gray was named All-MAC Honorable Mention.
In eight seasons at the helm, Groce owns a 168-88 overall record, including a 97-49 record in MAC games. He currently ranks fourth in all-time wins at Akron.
About The Hugh Durham Award
The Hugh Durham award is named in honor of the former Florida State, Georgia and Jacksonville head coach. In eight seasons, at Jacksonville University, Durham became the Dolphins' all-time winningest Division I coach (106 wins), making him the only coach in NCAA history to be the winningest coach (pct. or wins) at three different Division I schools.
For more information visit: The Hugh Durham Award
the award."It is an honor and privilege for our staff and support staff to be recognized with the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award," said UA head coach John Groce. "We are so grateful that our players allow us to coach them and impact their lives. In addition, I would also like to thank the Akron and University community, the Board of Trustees, President R.J. Nemer, Interim Athletic Director Dr. Matthew Juravich, our entire athletic department staff and the Fear the Roo Collective for all the support they give our program and our student-athletes. This recognition does not happen without the efforts of many."
The Zips reached new heights in the 2024-25 season under Groce with a program best 28-7 overall record, including a 17-1 record in Mid-American Conference play. The Zips won a program record 25 regular season games while tying the best record in the MAC modern era with a 17-1 conference record. The 2024-25 Akron squad is just the second MAC school to finish the regular season 17-1, joining the 2001-02 Kent State team that first accomplished this feat.
"John has been an incredible motivator, mentor and coach both on and off the court," said UA President R.J. Nemer. "John knows how to win, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him as such a committed member of the University community. We are excited to see what the future holds for our men's basketball program under Coach Groce's leadership."
In 2024-25, Akron won the MAC regular season title and secured the MAC Tournament championship in back-to-back years for the first time in program history. Groce led Akron to its seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament and third appearance in his career at Akron.
Bringing in nine new faces to the program, Groce didn't miss a beat after winning the 2024 MAC Tournament title. The Zips adjusted their style of play and went 16-0 at home this season, becoming just the fourth Akron team to go undefeated at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Akron finished the season ranked No. 1 in the MAC in offensive efficiency (118.5), effective field goal percentage (57.8), 2-point field goal percentage (60.4), tempo (72.9), scoring offense (84.0), scoring margin (+9.0), 3-point field goals made per game (10.7), rebounds per game (38.3), assist-turnover ratio (+1.50) and assists (17.74).
The Zips were also at the top of the league standings defensively, ranking No. 1 in defensive efficiency (103.3), field goal percentage (47.2), 3-point field goal percentage (29.8), defensive rebounds per game (26.6), blocked shots per game (3.74) and steals per game (7.63).
Nationally, the Zips ranked in the Top 100 teams in 19 statistical categories. Akron ranked 15th in tempo with a 71.6 rating which was +4.2 faster than the 67.4 Division I average. The Zips also ranked 4th in the NCAA in assists per game (17.7), 5th in bench points per game (33.97), 8th in 3-pointers made per game (10.7), 8th in scoring offense (84.0), 10th in 3-pointers attempted per game (29.7), 27th in assist-turnover ratio (+1.50), 29th in rebounds per game (38.49), 32nd in fastbreak points (13.20), 34th in effective field goal percentage (.578), 35th in scoring margin (+9.0), 46th in defensive rebounds (26.66), 59th in 3-point percentage. (.362), 59th in free throw percentage (.754), 60th in field goal percentage (.469), 81st in steals per game (7.6), 82nd in 3pt pct. defense (.319), 84th in rebound margin (+3.4) and 85th in offensive rebounds (11.8).
Akron earned the No. 1 seed to the MAC Tournament and defeated No. 8 Bowling Green (W, 96-67), No. 4 Toledo (W, 100-90) and No. 2 Miami (W, 76-74) to advance to the First Round of the NCAA Tournament East Region in Seattle, Wash. The Zips played the No. 4 seeded Arizona Wildcats (L, 93-65) at Climate Pledge Arena on March 21st.
For the second time in his career at Akron, Groce was named the MAC Coach of the Year. He was previously named the MAC Coach of the Year in 2020.
In addition, five players earned 2025 MAC postseason accolades as Nate Johnson was named MAC Player of the Year and MAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as First Team All-MAC and All-MAC Defensive Team accolades. Shammah Scott garnered the MAC Sixth Man of the Year award, while Sharron Young was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team. Tavari Johnson earned First Team All-MAC honors, while Isaiah Gray was named All-MAC Honorable Mention.
In eight seasons at the helm, Groce owns a 168-88 overall record, including a 97-49 record in MAC games. He currently ranks fourth in all-time wins at Akron.
About The Hugh Durham Award
The Hugh Durham award is named in honor of the former Florida State, Georgia and Jacksonville head coach. In eight seasons, at Jacksonville University, Durham became the Dolphins' all-time winningest Division I coach (106 wins), making him the only coach in NCAA history to be the winningest coach (pct. or wins) at three different Division I schools.
For more information visit: The Hugh Durham Award
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