Chicitysports – Chicago Sports News Site
  • BEARS
    • Chicago Bears News
    • Chicago Bears Rumors
    • Caleb Williams news
  • BULLS
    • Michael Jordan News
    • Chicago Bulls News
    • Chicago Bulls Rumors
  • BLACKHAWKS
    • Connor Bedard News
    • Chicago Blackhawks News
    • Chicago Blackhawks Rumors
  • CUBS
    • Chicago Cubs Prospects
    • Chicago Cubs News
    • Chicago Cubs Rumors
  • WHITE SOX
    • Chicago White Sox Prospects
    • Chicago White Sox News
    • Chicago White Sox Rumors
  • SKY
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Navigation
  • About Us
  • About Us
  • Author Page Template
  • Chicago Sports News
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • Editorial policy
  • Editorial team
  • email test
  • Get In Touch
  • homepage
  • homepage
  • Join Our Group
  • Meet the team
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Push notifications
  • Social Media
  • test
  • Test page
  • Testing
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Chicago Bears’ Colston Loveland put on red alert before rookie campaign
  • Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose discusses current roster’s failings
  • Chicago Bulls bring back a nice young player on a three-year deal: Insider
  • Chicago Bears’ Cole Kmet linked to Miami Dolphins trade
  • The Chicago Cubs are predicted to do great at the Trade Deadline
  • Former Notre Dame defensive tackle died at 53
  • The Chicago Bulls sign an interesting player to a two-way deal
  • Chicago Bears WR roster projections revealed
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Chicitysports – Chicago Sports News SiteChicitysports – Chicago Sports News Site
WANT FREE UPDATES?
  • BEARS
    • Chicago Bears News
    • Chicago Bears Rumors
    • Caleb Williams news
  • BULLS
    • Michael Jordan News
    • Chicago Bulls News
    • Chicago Bulls Rumors
  • BLACKHAWKS
    • Connor Bedard News
    • Chicago Blackhawks News
    • Chicago Blackhawks Rumors
  • CUBS
    • Chicago Cubs Prospects
    • Chicago Cubs News
    • Chicago Cubs Rumors
  • WHITE SOX
    • Chicago White Sox Prospects
    • Chicago White Sox News
    • Chicago White Sox Rumors
  • SKY
  • MESSAGE BOARD
Chicitysports – Chicago Sports News Site
Home»Uncategorized»Illinois To Hire John Groce
Uncategorized

Illinois To Hire John Groce

Zack PearsonBy Zack PearsonMarch 29, 20123 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

The wild coaching search is now over. Illinois has finally found their guy with Ohio University coach John Groce.

According to multiple reports Wednesday night, Illinois has finally reached an agreement with John Groce to become the next Illini basketball coach. After striking out on Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens, Illinois turned its attention to the next hottest mid-major coach in Groce, who just led the Ohio Bobcats to a Sweet Sixteen this year before losing to North Carolina in overtime.

Groce, 40 years old, was a long time assistant to Thad Matta at Ohio State, Xavier, and Butler before being hired as Ohio’s head coach in 2008. In his four year’s at Ohio, Groce led the Bobcats to two NCAA tournaments and compiled an 85-56 record, while going 34-30 in the MAC. Their tournament appearances weren’t  just one-and-done’s either, advancing to the 2nd round two years ago after knocking off Georgetown, and the Sweet Sixteen this year by beating Michigan and South Florida.

Multiple tweets from former and current players suggest that guards will absolutely love Groce’s system at Illinois. Former Ohio State star Evan Turner said on Twitter, “Coach Groce’s offense is legit. Built for guards. The big ten is going to get even better in the future. Yessir”, while also tweeting to Brandon Paul “you’re going to enjoy Groce’s offense if he’s your new coach, believe me!”. Ohio point guard DJ Cooper even said “If coach goes to U of I just know my homie(DJ Richardson) will be in heaven.”

Specifics of the contract have not come out yet, but Illinois will have to pay a $200,000 buyout to Ohio, while still having to pay former coach Bruce Weber his $3.9 million buyout.

National media writers love the hire for Illinois. Mike Decourcy says “John Groce wasn’t first choice, but may be best fit for Illinois”, while ESPN’s Jon Greenberg says that Illinois should be lucky Groce fell into their laps.

Time will tell if Groce is the right hire, but he’s going to have to hit the ground running recruiting Chicago. Reports right now say it’s unlikely Jerrance Howard will be back, which is a shame since he’s an Illini alum. Groce has some Chicago ties since he recruited DJ Cooper, but Chicago Public League ties are what people talk about when they say “he needs to recruit Chicago”. Chicago Simeon coach Robert Smith is constantly being mentioned by fans to be an assistant for Illinois. Again, time will tell what will happen with the assistant situation at the school.

A press conference is set for Thursday to announce the hire.

Danny O’Brien Signs With Wisconsin

Danny O’Brien Signs With Wisconsin

Read More

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

FEATURED
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Author Image
BY Zack Pearson

Journalist

Related Posts

Bears June 30, 2025

Chicago Bears’ Cole Kmet linked to Miami Dolphins trade

Notre Dame June 30, 2025

Former Notre Dame defensive tackle died at 53

Blackhawks June 30, 2025

Chicago Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard ‘undoing a couple years’ worth of poor habits’

Chicago Sky June 29, 2025

‘Better than Caitlin Clark’: Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese impresses in win over Sparks

Cubs June 29, 2025

Chicago Cubs’ Craig Counsell called out by ESPN reporter for controversial decision

Bears June 29, 2025

Chicago Bears donated to and helped support 2025 Pride Bowl

Leave A Reply

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Editorial policy
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.