]That's a good point Mike. I've never thought about it in that way before, but maybe Groce was the one to lay the ground work for this program and it's someone (or more than one other someone) else's job to keep it rolling and make it grow.
It's going to HAVE to be that way.
I'm still holding out hope that Groce stays, but my mind tells me it's a done deal.
Either way, Groce is gone this off-season or next off-season. Even if he comes back to coach these kids next year, I'd expect another good season and possible tourney run, in which case he'll definitely be gone then.
So, whether it's now or 1 year from now, what you say is true. Somebody else is going to HAVE to take the foundation Groce laid and keep rolling with it. The life of a mid-major...and why our President and AD are so so SO important in order to keep finding those good up and coming replacements the same way Xavier and Butler have done recently.
If you're wrong, you're stuck with the guy.
If you're right, you have to be able to find the NEXT guy all over again.