Illinois has fired coach John Groce, the school announced Saturday.
After making a late-season push, Illinois lost its final two games, and with it a chance at making the NCAA Tournament. Instead, the Illini will miss the Big Dance for the fourth straight year with an 18-14 record.
The Illini should get a good seed in the NIT, and assistant coach Jamall Walker has been named the interim head coach while a national search for Groce’s replacement begins immediately.
A tough day. Immeasurable thanks to John & his staff for representing our beloved #ILLINI w/ class from the beginning to the end…
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) March 11, 2017
Our students left better athletes, better students, and better people because of his mentorship…a legacy more powerful than any W or L.
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) March 11, 2017
In five seasons at Illinois, Groce finished with a 95-75 record overall and 37-53 in the Big Ten. He received a $1.7 million buyout for the two years left on his contract, according to a release.
