There is really no scenario in which Groce could leave this offseason and earn my blessing (maybe partially due to a genetic predisposition to 'extreme loyalty'). He didn't finish what he signed up for.

I'm an appreciative guy. It's my senior year and I'm a dedicated Bobcat. I realize, whether directly or indirectly, John Groce is responsible for the only two "name" victories in my time here, football or basketball (Georgetown and Michigan).

 

I've gone all over the country to see our Bobcats lose to Tennessee x2, Rutgers, Troy, A&M, Marshall, CMU, NIU, and various other MAC foes. All the while I've never once regretted the trips or felt we "deserved" any different of an outcome. I've just been thankful to have the opportunity  to support the Green and White.  I've become a part of a small population in the U.S. who saw their team make a run to the Sweet 16, all in person. So for that, thank you John Groce.

 

I say this to establish some form of credibility. I'm not a delusional fanboy. I deserve nothing and expect nothing more from John Groce than to give his best effort and fulfill his contractual obligations. 

I'm hung up on the contract. It's convenient for Groce to leave at his leisure, when his stock is highest; I'm aware that many others in his position do the same. That does not change that he left with a couple years left to remain accountable to this university.

This was one of the best teams this school has ever assembled. He said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to coach at Illinois and he was right. But he neglected to mention that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to coach at Ohio University next year. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to honor his commitment to this school and to these players. And in fact it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to take this team to its maximum potential and then move forward as fate may have it. 

I don't buy the family/proximity claim. It's far too convenient. His parents have divorced and both have remarried (at least that's what I gathered from the press conference) . Even if they both still currently lived  in the quaint town of Danville, IN, I can't imagine many people who collect Social Security going on two hour road trips with any regularity (sure Groce has little kids, they get anxious and the drive would be taxing on them too. But if the extra 170 is so taxing, how ever did he manage the years he spent at Ohio and A&M?).

I'm kind of rambling, but long story short I agree with Bobcat8811. Most posters give Groce a free pass even though he clearly disrespected this university. It's the easy choice to let him off the hook, feel warm on the inside that he loves his family and will move on to "follow his dreams". I don't often take the easy choice.