During his tenure at Ohio State from 2005 to 2008, the Buckeyes achieved an impressive 105-35 record. His instrumental role in recruiting top talent led to his recognition as Rivals’ 2006 National Recruiter of the Year. Groce began his coaching career as an assistant at Taylor University (1993-1996), followed by impactful assistant coaching stints at North Carolina State (1996-2000), Butler (2000-2001), and Xavier (2001-2004), solidifying his foundational experiences in program development and talent cultivation. Groce’s head coaching journey commenced in 2008 at Ohio University, where he spent four seasons compiling an 85-56 overall record.

His coaching prowess has been recognized with two MAC Coach of the Year awards in 2020 and 2025, alongside the prestigious Hugh Durham Award in 2025, solidifying his standing among the nation’s elite coaches. His emphasis on making a profound impact and fostering a ‘OneAkron’ vision reflects his dedication to both athletic excellence and deep community integration within the program.