Interesting article in the Akron Beacon today. It is referenced on the front page of Bobcatattack. Apparently others of some concern with Groce swinging for the fences and bringing in some bad actors. He is definitely going to have to do this in order to be competitive quickly at Akron. There roster is in bad shape.
Where did you read this - "Apparently others of some concern with Groce swinging for the fences and bringing in some bad actors. - I sure didn't see that in the article.
Here is the article.
Among the incidents:
One Ohio player was kicked off the team after punching a nightclub bouncer. Another was bounced for repeated marijuana use.
At Illinois, a player was sent home from a team trip to France after being charged with vandalism, public intoxication and resisting arrest. He was suspended indefinitely and eventually dismissed from the team. Police arrested another Illini player and charged him with aggravated assault, and a third player was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic assault. That charge was later dropped.
Those who made the decision regarding Groce’s hiring were aware of the issues.
“I think that in any athletic program, any athletic area, you look at everything in its entirety and that’s a consideration like it would be for any other coach,” UA President Matthew Wilson said after Groce’s introductory news conference Thursday.
Wilson answered a question that pops up any time a college player gets in trouble while away from the game. A coach can’t watch a student athlete 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A coach can lead by example and Groce has shown the ability to do that.
UA Director of Athletics Larry Williams agreed.
“Ultimately, they’re 18- to 24-year-olds and they do make bad decisions,” he said. “I did not see any pattern in John’s background that says he’s a high risk taker as it relates to student athletes.”
Williams said that’s what he noticed about the incidents that hit Groce’s programs.
Akron AD
“What I did see is a guy that once they did happen, handled them in a very responsible manner, trying to get the young man help then disciplining further if it did occur,” he said.
He said Groce’s contract, which hasn’t been finalized, will address the issue of player expectations.