For years we begged and pleaded for a coach like Groce. We all sat and mocked O'Shea and discussed how he'd never get us to the next level. Now we're there--at least for a season. It's not that we won't be OK because we will be. It's more the thought that next year could be a truly magical year--perhaps even more so than this year--and he won't be there to see it or celebrate it.

I've never believed that money should talk...but ten times your salary is a different beast altogether. I'm not even sure what I'm trying to get across here beyond my simple hope that he stays. I drove to St. Louis from Cape Girardeau Friday and reveled in the opportunity to show my SEMO friends and colleagues what Ohio is all about. I spent the game texting our own head coach and he raved about our play, players, and fans. He wants to emulate that. And a lot of that is about Groce and what he means. OU will always be more than one coach or person...but boy the ride sure has been fun with John Groce in charge.

Amen.  We always know that MAC-level schools are usually a waystop on the road to bigger (not necessarily better) gigs but Coach and his family seem to enjoy Athens.  I hope he stays to see this team come to full flower.

It's always nice to have hope... my hope is the next coach can continue what Coach Groce was building and build us to a Butler/Gonzaga type where the next coach will earn the University enough so we can pay him enough to keep him.

Illinois is a type of job that we can't comete with at this time. Yes we can maybe triple Groce's salary... but you know what... Illinois will just bump their offer to still double whatever our best offer is. Plus Illinois is a Top 25 job in the country.

When Groce came here we all knew this was a stepping stone. He had bigger aspirations, and we were hoping he would earn those aspirations because it would mean our team was successful. Well, he has come through on our end of the bargain. Two NCAAs, an upset in the first and a sweet sixteen in the 2nd trip? Yes there was hope he can fall in love with Athens and stay longer... and it may have happened if a really good job didn't open up.

I for one will hope he does well at Illinois and more importantly hope that our next coach will do just as well.