June 27, 2008

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ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio head men's basketball coach John Groce
Opening Statement:
"First of all, I'd like to say thank you for this wonderful opportunity. It's a dream come true for me to have the opportunity to be the head coach at a place as prestigious as Ohio University. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention some of the guys that have given me this opportunity, guys that I've been around, been associated with, worked with or worked under. Paul Patterson, who I both played under and worked for at Taylor University, Herb Sendek, Sean Miller, who obviously had an impact on my career as a coach, and then of course Thad (Matta). Being with him for eight years like I have, I've learned a great deal. When you around winners like those guys are and you watch how they care for the student-athletes, how they are doing on a daily basis and how they are growing personally and academically, I'm really fortunate that I was able to be a part of those programs and mentored by both of those individuals."

"I also want to thank Jim for the way that he handled the process in a very caring way, a very professional way. It was funny, about a week ago, Thad called me and said, `Hey John, the Ohio University job just opened. I don't want to lose you, but that's a great job, maybe you should pursue that job.' Then fortunately for me, Mr. Schaus then went out of his way, he reached out and connected with me and I had and opportunity to speak with him and with Dr. McDavis, and it was very obvious to me that we felt a mutual connection. When I had a chance to speak with both of those individuals about the vision of the program that they have for Bobcat Basketball, it struck me that this is a perfect fit, it's a perfect match. The fact that they aspire to have excellence both on and off the court and the fact that they are consumed and they wake up everyday thinking about ways in which we can elevate the program and consistently be at a championship level really stuck with me. I can't thank them enough. I do understand that there will be challenges, I know that obviously this isn't easy, but I believe that with the partnership that our team will have with the administration and with the community of Athens, we can meet that challenge. I have no doubt, after listening to them and after doing my research on Ohio University and about the job that we can contend and compete for championships on a consistent level. I assure you that we will put a basketball team on the floor that is going to play extremely hard. They are going to play very unselfishly. They are going to be a basketball team that is going to make the university proud, the community proud and the Bobcat Nation proud."

"One of the things that really impressed me as I did research on the job was the regional reputation of the school, and, quite honestly, the national reputation of the school that stood out as our family did our research. It is with great pride that I am standing here before you today and I'm really looking forward to a wonderful opportunity."

On what made Ohio the right place:
"I think a lot of it goes back to the discussions that I had with Dr. McDavis about the position of the program. It was just that feeling, sometimes you just have a feel. Its not something that you can encapsulate in writing, it's just a feel or a connection about the job. Meeting with them and doing the research on the job, really the tradition here is incredible. There have been some very good coaches, Tim O'Shea, Larry Hunter, Danny Nee, Billy Hahn, those guys recently. There have been very good players over the years. Looking back through the record books, Dave Jamerson, Paul Graham, Gary Trent, Brandon Hunter, Geno Ford. There is an unbelievable amount of tradition. Looking at it, this place has been really successful, I'm humbled by the opportunity to be here. I understand the tradition of the program and I felt like, with the vision that Dr. McDavis and Mr. Schaus had in place, we could build upon that and get to a level where we can consistently compete for championships."

On recruiting for Ohio University:
"Recruiting, first of all, is crucial. Mr. Schaus and I talked a lot about this and obviously a lot of people like to play on the terms of networking, connections and who you know. No question that stuff is important, but, I also think that it's being able to connect with people. Every person that you recruit has a pain. That's human nature, and I think our job is to connect with the people that are close to him in his life and make him feel like Ohio University answers that pain. There's no question that, as I've mentioned several times, with the vision that we are going to have in place and the tremendous success and job that coaches have done previously with players, I think this is s a place that people will take a hard look at."

On his experience this past week and vision for the future:
"This last week has been like a whirlwind. To be honest, it has happened quickly. In the last week it has been something that my family has had a lot of chance to think about and we've had a lot of conversation with Mr. Schaus and Dr. McDavis. It has happened fast, but obviously, when an opportunity happens like this and the doors open, you can either knock them down and bust through it, or you can put one foot in and have one foot out or you can just neglect it. Our family chose to bust through it."

Rising senior forward Jerome Tillman
On the team's first meeting and when they found out about the coaching hire:
"I found out yesterday afternoon and we turned around and had our first meeting today. We talked about how we need to be family and embrace the community and play well for the university. I really like that and I'm excited to see where things go."

On what it will take to get all of Ohio's current players on the same page:
"The guys need to get to know Coach Groce. I've been talking about being a family for the last two years. We really need to build a good relationship with Coach Groce, and by doing that we'll be ok."