The Dustin Ford head coaching era has been underway at the University of Akron since the Zips hired Ford to succeed John Groce on March 30.
Still, Wednesday, April 15, represents a significant moment for UA and Ford because the Zips are formally introducing him as their men’s basketball coach during a news conference at House Three Thirty in Akron.
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Hear from Akron’s Dustin Ford: Zips basketball coach says John Groce prepped him for helm
The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Check below to find out what Ford says about his new job at the state of Zips basketball.
University of Akron men’s basketball coach Dustin Ford.
Even before Dustin Ford’s introductory news conference begins, here is a refresher about the Akron Zips and how Ford fits with the University of Akron:
Dustin Ford hired as Akron Zips basketball coach
On Monday, March 30, John Groce left Akron and took the head coaching job at the College of Charleston. Later the same day, Akron announced it hired Dustin Ford to replace Groce at the helm of the Zips.
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Ford was an in-house candidate at Akron. He was also the only person Zips athletic director Andrew T. Goodrich interviewed to succeed Groce, Goodrich told the Beacon Journal.
Ford is a first-time head coach at the college level. Ford worked as an assistant under Groce for all 18 seasons of Groce’s head coaching career, including the past nine at Akron (2017-26), five at Illinois (2012-17) and four at Ohio (2008-12).
Zips sports: Inside Akron basketball’s head coaching change with John Groce and AD Andrew T. Goodrich
John Groce’s record with Akron basketball
Akron captured four Mid-American Conference Tournament titles (2022, ’24, ’25 and ’26) and thereby advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times in a span of five years under Groce. The Zips became the first men’s team to three-peat as MAC tourney champion (2024-26).
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Akron is 0-8 in Division I NCAA Tournament games (1986, 2009, ’11, ’13, ’22, ’24, ’25 and ’26). UA basketball’s Division I era began with the 1980-81 season.
With the Zips, Groce compiled a record of 197-94, including 114-50 in the MAC. He is 377-225, including 4-7 in the NCAA Tournament (0-4 with Akron, 1-1 with Illinois and 3-2 with Ohio).
Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey reacts after a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.
Akron basketball roster. Who are the Zips players with eligibility left after 2025-26 season?
Akron is coming off a season in which the Zips went 29-6, 17-1 in the MAC. A list of players who are eligible to return next season is below.
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Redshirt junior forward Chabi Barre
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Redshirt freshman forward Rich Brisco
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Redshirt freshman guard Conner Groce (the eldest son of former Akron coach John Groce announced he entered the NCAA transfer portal)
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Redshirt sophomore wing Zach Halligan
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Senior guard Bowen Hardman (announced he entered the transfer portal and told the Beacon Journal he petitioned the NCAA for another season of eligibility)
Akron Zips guard Bowen Hardman (15) attempts a shot over Buffalo Bulls guard Ryan Sabol (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 12, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Freshman guard Josh Henderson
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Redshirt freshman Eric Mahaffey (announced he entered the transfer portal)
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Redshirt sophomore wing Marvin Musiime-Kamali
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Freshman guard Tai Perkins
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Freshman wing Ognjen Stankovic
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Sophomore guard Sharron Young (announced he entered the transfer portal)
Why is Akron called the Zips?
A student contest resulted in Akron’s nickname becoming the Zippers in 1926. The name was inspired by a B.F. Goodrich brand of rubber galoshes with metal fasteners. In 1950, former Akron athletic director Kenneth “Red” Cochran shortened the name to Zips.
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Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron basketball coach Dustin Ford introduced during news conference
