It didn’t take much more than a blue and orange striped tie, but during Thursday’s Illinois press conference John Groce was no Bobcat.
He was now a member of the University of Illinois, abandoning his mid-major status and $300,000 contract to take what he called a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” as a coach.
When Groce said his final goodbye and headed to a Big Ten program, he left behind a team fresh off a Mid-American Conference Tournament title, an unforgettable dance in the NCAA tournament and a starting line-up with no seniors.
Colleges like Illinois don’t choose their next head coaches from bad basketball schools. If Ohio University’s basketball program hadn’t stepped to the precipice of elite mid-major status, Groce would still be here and Illinois wouldn’t have given him a second glance.
Remember, the last time an Ohio basketball coach left for another job, Tim O’Shea went to Rhode Island’s Bryant University to guide the Bulldogs into Division I. There’s a major difference between a job in the Northeast Conference and one in the Big Ten.
O’Shea’s departure led to the hiring of Groce, who built himself quite a legacy during his four years in Athens. He took a mediocre, mid-major program and transformed it into a conference powerhouse. No one can complain about the two MAC Tournament titles and upset wins in the 2010 and 2012 NCAA tournaments.
Furthermore, Groce has not left behind a team bereft of talent. Stars Walter Offutt and D.J. Cooper will be back, along with their entire supporting cast.
Offutt, in particular, seems to be relishing the opportunity to be an on-court leader for next year’s team, no matter who the next coach is.
The Ohio student body has also handled Groce’s departure well. Maybe Bobcat fans saw Groce’s departure as inevitable after successful MAC and NCAA tournaments. But as a school and a basketball team, we can move on with what he’s left us.
Students have taken to social media to rally behind Bobcat players still hurting from the loss of their coach, continuing to show the support that has been present for the last month.
Athletic Director Jim Schaus hired Groce and volleyball coach Ryan Theis during his time at Ohio, in addition to women’s basketball coach Semeka Randall, softball coach Jodi Hermanek and women’s golf coach Kelly Ovington.
During his stint as athletic director at Wichita State before coming to Athens, Schaus hired Mark Turgeon — who has since moved on to take over the reigns for the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Maryland Terrapins — as the Shockers’ basketball coach.
Schaus has proven that he knows what to look for in basketball coaches, and we are confident that whoever he chooses will be able to continue the Bobcats’ ascent.
For Ohio, there’s life after Groce.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
